EDUCATION
Skidmore College, Bachelor’s Degree, Phi Beta Kappa
Pace University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, Law Review
ABOUT
Mr. Sands previously served as the Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company from March 2019 through November 2022 and as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from July 2007 through February 2019. Mr. Sands also served as President of the Company from December 2002 to February 2018, as Chief Operating Officer from December 2002 to July 2007, as Group President from April 2000 through December 2002, as Chief Executive Officer, International from December 1998 through April 2000, as Executive Vice President from October 1993 through April 2000, as General Counsel from June 1986 through May 2000, and as Vice President from June 1990 through October 1993.
During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sands led the Company through the acquisition of its Mexican beer business, the initial build out of its Mexican production footprint, and the premiumization of its brand portfolio. Under the experienced leadership of Mr. Robert Sands and his brother Mr. Richard 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 his vast expertise with the Company’s operations, brands, and shifting consumer demands, based on over three decades of experience across his many roles. He is a top leader of the beverage alcohol industry, having built extensive relationships across the industry at home and abroad.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
2009 WINE ENTHUSIAST MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD, given for outstanding achievement in the wine world
2010 DR. LOUIS BERGER MEMORIAL AWARD, presented by the American Cancer Society to a wine and spirits industry leader who exemplifies philanthropic work and is dedicated to the fight against cancer
2011 BEVERAGE FORUM’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, which is given to individuals who, through their lifetime efforts, have materially changed the beverage landscape
2011 LEADERS IN MANAGEMENT AWARD BY PACE UNIVERSITY, which honors alumni for their leadership and contributions to business and the community
2013 INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD, presented by the Greater Rochester Enterprise
2014 EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD, presented by the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School, honors a person who exemplifies the spirit of leadership, demonstrates a deep respect for our nation’s fiscal health, and has a significant pattern of public service and philanthropy
2016 SOUTHERN WINE & SPIRITS’ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
2016 HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW’S 100 WORLD’S BEST-PERFORMING CEOS, recognizing CEOs for long-term performance and success
2017 MARKET WATCH INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
2017 ROCHESTER HALL OF FAME INDUCTION, honoring businesspeople who have influenced the Greater Rochester community through business achievements as well as personal and philanthropic contributions
2017 BEVERAGE INDUSTRY MAGAZINE’S EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
2017 HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW’S 100 WORLD’S BEST-PERFORMING CEOS, recognizing CEOs for long-term performance and success
2018 WSWA SIDNEY FRANK INNOVATION AWARD, recognizing exceptional industry contributions, noteworthy philanthropy and community service
2018 BARRON’S WORLD’S BEST CEOs: GROWTH LEADERS, recognized for his leadership of Constellation when it acquired the U.S. distribution rights to its Mexican beer portfolio, thus making Constellation Brands the best growth story in consumer staples
2018 BEVNET’S BREWBOUND PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD, recognized for his bullish $4 billion investment in the emerging cannabis sector and his more than decade-long leadership of one of the beverage alcohol category’s top-performing companies