Robert Hanson to Step Down as EVP & President, Wine & Spirits Division Effective February 29, 2024

Company Initiates Search to Identify New Leader to Guide Next Phase of Growth for Its Wine & Spirits Business

VICTOR, N.Y., Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ), a leading beverage alcohol company, today announced that the Company and Robert Hanson, who has led the transformation of the company’s Wine & Spirits business since 2019, have mutually agreed that Mr. Hanson will step down from his role as Executive Vice President and President of the company’s Wine & Spirits Division, at the end of Constellation’s fiscal year on February 29, 2024. The company has initiated a search to identify a successor. Bill Newlands, President and Chief Executive Officer, will assume responsibilities as interim leader for the company’s Wine & Spirits Division, in addition to his existing responsibilities, until a successor is named. Newlands and Hanson will work together over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

“Robert has been instrumental in leading the charge to reposition our Wine & Spirits business to a higher-end portfolio of brands more aligned with consumer trends, with an expanded focus to include global, omni-channel distribution, with more robust and targeted international and direct-to-consumer sales channels,” said Bill Newlands, President and Chief Executive Officer at Constellation Brands. “We thank Robert for his transformational vision, drive and commitment to our business over the past 11 years, first as a Board Director, and then as President of our Wine & Spirits Division, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Hanson became a member of Constellation in June 2019, following successful tenures as CEO and President at companies such as John Hardy Global Limited, American Eagle Outfitters, and Levi Strauss & Co. From 2013 to 2019, he also served as a board member of Constellation. Throughout Hanson’s leadership for more than four years, the Wine & Spirits Division of the company has seen considerable transformation, with brand portfolio reshaping through lower-end brand divestitures, acquisitions of higher-end spirits and fine wine brands, consumer-focused innovation, as well as laying a strong foundation for sustainable success and growth in profit.

“I take pride in serving Constellation Brands’ Board as well as its Wine & Spirits Division, and I greatly respect and admire the company, its beloved beverage alcohol portfolio and the team members who are particularly talented,” Hanson said. “Now is the appropriate time for me to transition the leadership and step down from my role with the company and move towards my future career objectives as we have achieved operational, capability and strategic transformation for the company’s Wine & Spirits business. I am eager to see the team achieve even more success in the forthcoming years.”

CONSTELLATION BRANDS IN BRIEF
Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) is a leading global producer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations spread across Mexico, the U.S., New Zealand, and Italy. Our mission lies in building brands that consumers love, since we value the enhancement of human connections as Worth Reaching For. It motivates us to work hard, take calculated risks and stay dedicated in order to predict market trends and deliver more to our industry, employees, shareholders, and consumers. This dedication has been the driving force behind us being one of the fastest booming, large CPG companies in the US retail business, propelling us to deliver what’s next.

Every day, our high-end, iconic imported beer brands like the flagship Corona Extra, the family of Corona brands, Modelo Especial, and the rich selection of Modelo Cheladas, Pacifico, and Victoria are reached out to by people, as are our fine wine and craft spirits brands which include The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey, and our premium wine brands like Kim Crawford and Meiomi.

As an agriculture-based company, we have a long history of operating sustainably and responsibly. Our ESG strategy is embedded into our business and our work focuses on serving as good stewards of the environment, enhancing social equity within our industry and communities, and promoting responsible beverage alcohol consumption. These commitments ground our aspirations beyond driving the bottom line as we work to create a future that is truly Worth Reaching For.

To learn more, visit www.cbrands.com and follow us on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACTS

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS

Amy Martin 585-678-7141 / amy.martin@cbrands.com

Carissa Guzski 315-525-7362 / carissa.guzski@cbrands.com

Joseph Suarez 773-551-4397 / joseph.suarez@cbrands.com

Snehal Shah 847-385-4940 / snehal.shah@cbrands.com

David Paccapaniccia 585-282-7227 / david.paccapaniccia@cbrands.com

A downloadable PDF copy of this news release can be found here: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/6f879f06-e200-4633-8058-dc27ea98a53e