Ascend Grocery Names New President/COO

Ascend Grocery has promoted Dean Little to president and COO. He previously held the position of COO for the company, which owns and operates 33 Save A Lot locations across the greater Orlando area. 

Little is an owner and founding partner of Ascend Grocery and has played a key role in establishing Ascend as one of Save A Lot’s largest Retail Partners.

With more than 40 years of food retail experience with a background in store operations, he has worked for several brands including Vons/Safeway, Price Chopper and most recently at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, where he served as COO. 

In his role at Ascend, Little established operational standards and helped reinvigorate Orlando Save A Lot stores following Ascend’s acquisition earlier this year. In his expanded role, he will play an integral part in leading the company’s growth strategy.

“Since taking on the Orlando area Save A Lot locations in January, Dean has been instrumental in helping us to quickly elevate our operations and ensure we are delivering an outstanding experience for our customers,” said Chris Sherrell, Ascend CEO. “I’m thrilled that Dean is taking on this added responsibility as we build our leadership team to position Ascend for continued growth. I have great confidence in his leadership and his ability to execute our plan to expand our network and impact beyond Orlando.