EDUCATION
University of Vermont, Bachelor’s Degree, Psychology, 1974
University of North Carolina, Master’s Degree & Doctorate, Social Psychology, 1979
ABOUT
Mr. Sands previously served as Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company from March 2019 through November 2022 and as Chairman of the Board of the Company from September 1999 through February 2019. He was employed by the Company in various capacities from 1979 through November 2022. He served as Chief Executive Officer from October 1993 to July 2007, as President from May 1986 to December 2002, as Chief Operating Officer from May 1986 to October 1993, and as Executive Vice President from 1982 to May 1986.
During the period of Mr. Sands’ leadership, the Company expanded through a combination of organic internal growth and inorganic mergers and acquisitions to become a leading global producer and marketer of beverage alcohol brands across imported beer, wine, and spirits. Under the experienced leadership of Mr. Richard Sands and his brother Mr. Robert Sands, the Company grew from a regional wine company to a publicly traded total beverage alcohol company in the S&P 500 with revenues for Fiscal 2023 in excess of $9 billion.
Mr. Sands brings to the Board deep experience with the Company’s management, strategic priorities, and history. He has been a dynamic leader for decades, bringing his diverse skill set to bear in both the board room and operations of the Company.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
2001 Rochester Business Hall of Fame
2001 HERBERT W. VANDEN BRUL ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD, given by Rochester Institute of Technology’s E. Philip Saunders College of Business to an individual whose business improved the Rochester economy and/or whose innovative management skills have changed the course of an existing business
2002 WINE ENTHUSIAST MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD, given for outstanding achievement in the wine world, both within a given year and over time
2002 ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE’S WINE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, for working to secure justice and fair treatment for people in the wine industry
2005 MARKET WATCH INDUSTRY LEADER OF THE YEAR, given for exceptional contributions to the wine industry
2005 DECANTER MAGAZINE’S #1 MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN THE WORLD OF WINE
2008 INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRITS COMPETITION LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, for his legendary business prowess focusing on motivating and inspiring people to continuously strive for excellence as they work to achieve the organization’s strategic objectives, which include providing unmatched quality and value to customers and consumers around the world
2008 MEININGER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN WINE & SPIRIT, presented by Meininger Verlag, the leading European trade publisher for publications on wine and beverages, based in Neustadt an der WeinstraBe, Germany. Richard was honored for the unprecedented expansion of Constellation Brands
2009 DECANTER MAGAZINE’S #1 MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN THE WORLD OF WINE for having a direct influence over the style of wines consumers are drinking today
2011 BEVERAGE FORUM’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, given to individuals who, through their lifetime efforts, have materially changed the beverage landscape
2013 MR. CANANDAIGUA AWARD from the Canandaigua, New York Chamber of Commerce, given to an individual who exemplifies a unique combination of citizenship and philanthropy
2015 Southern Wine & Spirits’ Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to the industry
2023 George Eastman Medal from the University of Rochester