Ascend, a middle-mile supply chain solutions company based in Jackson, Tennessee, recently announced a change to one of its key leadership positions as part of the company’s continued focus on growth and customer service. David Dallas has been named president of distribution and dedicated transportation.
Dallas’s new role will include working to expand Ascend’s future strategies that will position the company as a warehouse management leader. He will also lead the largest division of the company growing the dedicated transportation services business that supports customers who are interested in converting private fleets.
“We made these organizational changes to further strengthen our focus on the customer," said Ascend CEO Michael McLary. "The secret to change at Ascend, which is constant, is to put all of our energy not into fighting the old but building the new. David has the leadership skills and industry knowledge to help Ascend achieve our vision as well as a determination to build new solutions that will serve our customers well.”
In another personnel move, Ascend named Fred Needham senior vice president of sales.
McLary said Needham will be dedicated to increasing the company’s volume growth.
“Fred Needham will help us continuously evolve our relationships with shippers,” said McLary. “Fred has an intense focus on building strong relationships internally with operations, customer service, finance, pricing, etc., as well as external customers to ensure the needs and expectations of both groups are met and exceeded. We are excited to have him on the Ascend team.”
Needham has been in transportation for 27 years with experience in truckload/dedicated, less-than-truckload, bulk chemicals, and refrigerated operations. He also has 15 years of experience in sales team management and leadership.
Launched in 2022, Ascend is built on the foundations of over fifty years of service provided by firms brought together to form the company. Ascend operates a large asset-based fleet, an extensive brokerage business, and a warehouse management division focusing on the needs of middle-mile shippers.
