Anthony Yacovone Jr. Joins ESE's Full-Time Staff
Anthony “Tony” Yacovone Jr., of Springfield, Mass., has accepted a full-time general maintenance position at Eastern States Exposition (ESE). In this role, he tends to landscape, beautifies the fairgrounds, communicates with external contractors, transforms the facility to accommodate the broad variety of shows that take place on the property, maintains ESE’s infrastructure and more.
Though this is Yacovone’s first full-time role, he has been a vital part of ESE’s Operations department since the summer of 2021. While working, he maintained academic excellence at The College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Mass. In December of 2024, he graduated summa cum laude from Elms College and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in ethical leadership. Yacovone’s degree has granted him a strong foundation in integrity, respect and critical relations skills that make him a reliable liaison for the Operations department.
While fulfilling his undergraduate studies and working in Operations, Yacovone also completed multiple certifications through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are relevant to his work at ESE. This has reinforced his status as an asset to the team.
Yacovone’s parents introduced him to the organization; his father, Anthony Yacovone Sr., joined ESE in 1978 as a lot attendant before becoming a full-time part of Operations in 1984, and his mother, Tammy Yacovone, first assisted with landscaping at The Big E in 1992. Nowadays, ESE is a family affair; the three work together in Operations, with occasional assistance from Yacovone’s younger sister, Allie.
“I grew up here because my parents were here, both during and outside of the Fair,” Yacovone shared. “I got to know the team throughout that time. Right after high school, the former Director of Operations asked me to join, and he gave me more and more responsibilities with time. During the summer,” he continued, “we train college and high school students. Now, I help to train them, which is very full circle.”
Outside of the workplace, Yacovone generously gives his time to his parish’s pastoral council at Holy Cross Church in Springfield, Mass.
ESE is thrilled to welcome Yacovone to the team in a full-time capacity.