Jacob Zapata joined the U.S. Army and its special operations craving something incredibly difficult: an opportunity to prove he could not just endure it, but thrive and lead. Following his time at Cornell University, he wanted life experiences few people ever get and the character traits earned from real challenge and hardship. He joined to be an Army Ranger and contributed overseas during the war in Afghanistan, testing himself while doing something that mattered.
Serving as a Ranger in the 75th Ranger Regiment, Zapata completed two deployments to Afghanistan. The experience instilled a deep sense of accountability, a non-negotiable high standard, and teamwork that now guide how he manages projects, builds partnerships, and executes long-term goals in commercial real estate.
Today, as COO and partner at The Tocci Group in Fitchburg, Zapata is an active developer in Central Massachusetts, leading retail mixed-use and multifamily redevelopment projects emphasizing long-term value creation. His transition from military service to commercial real estate has been marked by impressive results. He has been directly involved in the sale of 338 properties totaling $1.01 billion in transaction volume.
The military taught Zapata how to operate under pressure, make clear decisions with limited information, and stay the course through uncertainty, all essential in commercial real estate, especially when projects can take years to complete. The mindset that got him through tough missions is the same one that drives him to overcome challenges and succeed in business today.
