Constellation Brands will be getting a new top executive next year. The Victor-based beer, wine and spirits company has announced that Bill Newlands will succeed Rob Sands. Newlands will become president and CEO on March 1, 2019. Also as of that date, Rob Sands will become executive chair.
His brother, Richard Sands, who is currently serving as executive chair, will assume the role of executive vice chair.
Bill Newlands joined Constellation in 2015 as executive vice president and chief growth officer. In 2016, he took on additional responsibilities as president of the company’s Wine & Spirits Division. In 2017, Newlands became chief operating officer and he took on the role as president earlier this year.
Prior to joining Constellation Brands, Newlands held several senior leadership roles in the beverage alcohol industry.
Newlands will become the first person outside the Sands family to lead the company. The father of Rob and Richard Sands, Marvin Sands, bought what was then called Canandaigua Industries in 1945. The business went public in 1973 and changed its name to Canandaigua Wine Company. It became Canandaigua Brands in 1997, and Constellation Brands in 2000.
“I am honored to be selected as Constellation Brands’ next CEO,” said Newlands. “I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for the leadership Rob, Richard and Marvin Sands provided over the years. I look forward to working with Rob, Richard, our Board of Directors, and the Constellation Brands team to ensure we continue building on the momentum our company has gained in the marketplace for many years to come.”
“Since joining Constellation Brands in 2015, Bill has made a significant impact on our company, finding ways to leverage our unique capabilities as a leading total beverage alcohol provider to meet consumers’ evolving needs and accelerate growth,” said Constellation Brands’ CEO Rob Sands. “Bill understands what it takes to succeed in this rapidly evolving market and he’s the right person to lead our company going forward.”
Rob Sands joined Constellation Brands in 1986 as general counsel. In 1993, he was appointed executive vice president and general counsel. In 1998, he was named chief executive officer of Constellation International.
In 2000, he became group president for Canandaigua Wine Company and the U.K. Division, and in 2002 he was appointed president and chief operating officer for Constellation Wines and Constellation Beers and Spirits.
In 2007, Sands was named company president and CEO.
