Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | February 23, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 15 BUSINESS LEADERS OF THE YEAR F O C U S BY SLOANE M. PERRON Special to WBJ N icolette Sacco was fresh out of college when she began her journey at Davis Farmland as manager of its Mega Maze 15 years ago. Aer that seasonal job ended, she was offered a role in the marketing department at the family-owned Sterling tourist attraction. e rest is history. "She really creates magic," said Owner Larry Davis. "e team knows that she's got their back, and that she's going to change systems any way she can to make everything as smooth as possible for our staff of 400 people. She is also our eye in the sky making sure that our guests are happy and that they have smiles on their faces." Now as the general manager, Sacco oversees Davis' day-to-day operations, which include everything from staff, strategy, facilities, animals, and guest services. Even with the seemingly endless and multifaceted range of responsibilities, Sacco takes pride in her team and has a genuine passion for making the custom- er experience at Davis Farmland a positive one to remember. Sacco led the development and installation of Cowabunga Splash Park, America's largest zero-depth water splash park when it launched on July 4. Sacco was at the epicenter of the four-year planning process, from concept to negotiations with designers and color selection. Her goal was to create a splash center for children of all ages to enjoy. "When you come to the farm, you don't need your cell phone. You don't need to scan a barcode or scan anything. We make it interactive and fun. We want it to literally be hands-on farm fun," Sacco said. Sacco rebranded the former Davis BBQ into Davis BBQ Burgers & Brews to elevate the guest experience. Rather than just focusing on barbecued meats, the on-site restaurant now has a diverse range of menu options, especially helpful for families with dietary restrictions. When it comes to her leadership style, Sacco tries to focus on three things: clarity, adaptability, and trust. "Whether it's with our hourly farmers, our kitchen crew, or our set of managers or directors, I try to be very intentional about my communication. Consisten- cy is the key to success," she said. As a farm-focused, outside tourist destination, Davis Farmland is at the mercy of the rain, the sun, and sometimes misbehaving animals. "Every day is different. We're not an office building. We're dealing with an outdoor farm, and we're also dealing with a lot of first-time employees," she said. Larry Davis credits Sacco for always considering ways to improve operations. By listening to her team and anticipating their needs, she has found ways to streamline processes. She is a strategic and action-oriented leader, he said. She works alongside her team and can regularly be seen mucking out stalls. ere is no ego trip with Sacco, he said. Whatever it is, she gets the job done. "She is everywhere, all the time, making sure that our guests get the best experience possible," he said. In a job that comes with many variables including weather, animals, crops, and guests, Sacco's sense of reliability and consistency keeps everything grounded, Davis said. "e Cowabunga Park was such a milestone, but I think it is what she does on a day-to-day basis that makes her stand out," Davis said. "It's almost like she was just born to do it. I can't describe it any other way," Davis said. Sacco creates a splash at Davis Farmland W Innovative Business Leader of the Year Nicolette Sacco General manager Davis Farmland, Davis Mega Maze & Davis BBQ, in Sterling Employees: 400 Her age: 37 PHOTO | COURTESY OF DAVIS FARMLAND

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