Prestigious award recognizes fundamental role women play in the grocery industry
MODESTO, Calif. – June 21, 2024 – The Save Mart Companies (TSMC) is celebrating associates Tamara Pattison and Teresa Tolentino who have been recognized as Progressive Grocer’s 2024 Top Women in Grocery. Progressive Grocer’s Top Women in Grocery is the industry’s most prestigious recognition for female leaders who are transforming their companies, colleagues, and communities in a multitude of positive ways. The winners were announced in Progressive Grocer’ June 2024 issue, devoted to showcasing overall excellence and continued achievement among female movers and shakers in the North American retail food industry.
“The Save Mart Companies is immensely proud of our remarkable female leaders who are making significant contributions to the company,” said Shane Sampson, executive chairman at The Save Mart Companies. “We are honored to celebrate Tamara Pattison and Teresa Tolentino, both of whom are an essential part of the company’s ongoing success. We congratulate them on this well-deserved accolade.”
Progressive Grocer recognized Tamara Pattison as the recipient of the Senior-Level Executive Leadership Award. Pattison serves as the company’s Chief Digital Officer and oversees and develops all aspects of digital information and technology for its three distinct store banners – Save Mart, Lucky California, and FoodMaxx. In her role, Pattison has developed and implemented initiatives to expand opportunities for The Save Mart Companies with emerging digital technologies and e-commerce strategies, enabling future growth in complete alignment with the company’s strategic objectives. Some of these initiatives include the expansion of key partnerships with Instacart and Amazon, developing the company’s Retail Media Network and enriching the Loyalty and Rewards Programs. Pattison resides in Berkeley, Calif.
Honored with the Rising Star Award, Teresa Tolentino leads the Internal Communications Team which provides companywide strategic and tactical content in support of business initiatives that amplify associate engagement, company culture, best practices, and brand strategies. She is responsible for complete oversight of key internal communications channels, including executive communications, video production, Breakroom TV and graphics. She also serves as the voice of over 12,000 associates, providing an effective flow of information and delivering engaging content that empowers and boosts productivity. Since joining the company in 2023, Teresa has reinvented the Internal Communications function and established Internal Communications as a Resource Center and the “go-to team” for the latest news and information. Tolentino resides in Patterson, Calif.
This is the 18th year for the food retailing industry’s longest running program recognizing and celebrating the accomplishment and contributions of thousands of women at all levels of the industry. The winners will receive their awards at the Top Women in Grocery Awards Dinner & After Party on November 8, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, taking place during the annual 3-day Grocery Impact summit.
About The Save Mart Companies
The Save Mart Companies, a Kingswood Capital Management, LP portfolio company and a California-based grocer, operates 194 Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx stores in California and Western Nevada. In addition to its retail operation, the Company also operates SMART Refrigerated Transport and is a partner in Super Store Industries (“SSI”), which owns and operates the Sunnyside Farms dairy processing plant in Turlock. Proud to be California’s largest regional, full-service grocery chain, the Company and its more than 12,000 associates take extra care to provide customers with the freshest foods for their families at affordable prices. For more information on the company, please visit: www.TheSaveMartCompanies.com.