Rob Sands

Not to be confused with Rob Sand.
Rob Sands
Born1958 or 1959 (age 65–66)[1]
NationalityAmerican
EducationThe Harley School
Alma materSkidmore College
Pace University
OccupationBusinessman
TitleCEO, Constellation Brands, 2007-2019
Executive Chair, Constellation Brands
Term2019-present
PredecessorRichard Sands
SpousePamela Kaufman
ParentMarvin Sands
RelativesRichard Sands (brother)

Robert Scott Sands (born 1958/59) is an American billionaire businessman, and the executive chair and former CEO of Constellation Brands, a Fortune 500 beer, wine and spirits company founded by his father Marvin Sands.

Early life

Robert Scott Sands is the son of Marvin Sands, and has an older brother, Richard Sands.[2]

He grew up in Canandaigua, New York, and was educated at The Harley School in Rochester, New York, graduating in 1976.[3] Sands earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Skidmore College, followed by a juris doctor from Pace University.[1][4][5]

Career

Marvin Sands founded the Canandaigua Wine Company in 1945, aged 21.[6] By 1980, its annual sales topped $50 million, was renamed Constellation Brands in 2000, and has acquired numerous companies including Robert Mondavi wine and Svedka vodka.[6] In 2013, it acquired the US rights to Grupo Modelo beers including Modelo and Corona.[6]

Sands started his career at the law firm of Harter Secrest & Emery LLP in Rochester, New York, and worked there for two years before joining the family business as general counsel in 1986.[5]

Sands was CEO of Constellation Brands from 2007 to 2019, succeeding his brother, Richard Sands.[7] In October 2018, he became the executive chairman of the company.[8]

Sands is a board member of Rochester General Health Systems, Thompson Hospital, Rochester Business Alliance, and chairman of the New York Wine and Culinary Center.[3]

In 2016, along with his brother and mother, "Mickey", donated $61 million to the Rochester Area Community Foundation, the single largest gift in its history.[9]

Personal life

In 1986, Sands married Jessica Nancy Zingesser.[10] Sands is married to Pamela Sands (nee Kaufman)[citation needed] and lives in Canandaigua, New York.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Forbes profile: Robert Sands". Forbes. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  2. ^ Deckert, Andrea (November 20, 2009). "Company leader stays in good spirits". Rochester Business Journal.
  3. ^ a b "Lives of Great Purpose: Rob Sands '76". www.harleyschool.org. August 30, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  4. ^ "Executive Profile: Robert S. Sands II". Bloomberg LP. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Deckert, Andrea (November 20, 2009). "Company leader stays in good spirits". rbj.net. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Kirsch, Noah. "How Two Brothers Built Their Family Wine Business Into A $40 Billion Alcohol Empire". forbes.com. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  7. ^ "Rob Sands Takes Reins From Brother at Constellation Brands". adage.com. June 28, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  8. ^ Wang, Christine (October 17, 2018). "Constellation Brands CEO Rob Sands will step down in March". CNBC. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  9. ^ "Sands family gift is largest in history of Rochester Area Community Foundation". WHAM-TV. February 9, 2016.
  10. ^ "R. S. Sands Married To Nancy Zingesser". The New York Times. August 3, 1986. The marriage of Jessica Nancy Zingesser, a daughter of Virginia Zingesser of White Plains and Dr. Lawrence Zingesser of New York, to Robert Scott Sands took place last evening at the Pierre in New York. Rabbi Martin Zion performed the ceremony.