FAIRPORT, N.Y., April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ, ASX: CBR), a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol, today announced Michael G. Walker, 37, has been named to the newly created position of vice president for external affairs effective today.
Walker will be based at the Constellation Wines U.S. office in San Francisco, and report to Jim Finkle, senior vice president for external affairs, who is at the Constellation Brands headquarters in western New York. Walker's responsibilities include government relations in the western U.S., management of the company's political action committee (PAC) contributions and industry relations with trade associations and peer companies.
"Michael possesses valuable experience and expertise in federal legislative and regulatory matters, and his anticipated contribution is welcome given the increasingly more complex nature of the relationships between business and government at all levels, both domestically and internationally," stated Finkle. "His presence in California is particularly important given Constellation's significant winemaking footprint there, the largest consumer population of any state and vital issues of mutual importance to all stakeholders such as the environment, land and water use, economic impacts, international trade and a host of others."
Prior to working for Constellation, Walker was a member of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein's staff in San Francisco, serving as a field representative and director of constituent services beginning in March 2000. He previously worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of Government Affairs and Elder Rights from 1996 through the end of 1999. A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Walker earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Scranton (Pa.) and a master's in public policy from American University in Washington, D.C.
About Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands, Inc. is a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol in the wine, spirits and imported beer categories, with significant market presence in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and New Zealand. Based in Fairport, N.Y., the company has more than 250 brands, sales in about 150 countries, operates approximately 60 facilities worldwide. It is also the largest wine producer in the world and an S&P 500 Index and Fortune 500(R) company. Major brands in the company's portfolio include Corona, Black Velvet, SVEDKA Vodka, Robert Mondavi, Clos du Bois, Ravenswood, Blackstone, Hardys, Banrock Station, Nobilo, Kim Crawford, Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs and Arbor Mist. To learn more about the company and its products visit Constellation's Web site at www.cbrands.com.
SOURCE Constellation Brands, Inc. -0- 04/14/2008 /CONTACT: Media, Mike Martin, +1-585-218-3669, or Angie Blackwell, +1-585-218-3842, or Investor Relations, Patty Yahn-Urlaub, +1-585-218-3838, or Bob Czudak, +1-585-218-3668, all of Constellation Brands, Inc./