FAIRPORT, N.Y., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ, ASX: CBR), a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol products, has announced the appointment of Jon Moramarco to the newly created position of chief executive officer for Constellation International. Reporting to Moramarco will be Hardy Wine Company and Constellation Wines International, with their headquarters at Reynella, Australia; Nobilo Wine Group, headquartered at Auckland, New Zealand; as well as Constellation Europe, with its headquarters at Guildford, England.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040119/STZLOGO )
Moramarco, who will be headquartered at Fairport, N.Y., will report to Rob Sands, Constellation Brands president and chief operating officer. Andy Berk, chief executive officer of Constellation Beers and Spirits; Jose Fernandez, chief executive officer of Constellation Wines U.S.; and Jay Wright, chief executive officer of Vincor Canada, will continue to report to Sands, as will David Watterson, senior vice president and chief information officer and Dave Moynihan, senior vice president of supply chain.
Troy Christensen, chief financial officer at Constellation Europe, will assume the role of president for that operating company. David Klein, vice president of corporate development at Fairport will become chief financial officer for Constellation Europe. These changes will become effective March 1, 2007.
"We continue to refine our organizational structure as we identify opportunities which maximize the company's operational capabilities and resource utilization to meet ever-changing marketplace needs around the world," stated Rob Sands. "Our emphasis on being a nimble, entrepreneurial and decentralized organization is at the core of our strategy to deliver growth and increase shareholder value by harvesting opportunities that generate true growth over the long term, and deliver returns above our cost of capital. Our organizational review is perpetual, with refinements like the one announced today being a natural and evolutionary aspect of conducting business in a global environment."
Prior to his appointment to chief executive officer of Constellation Europe, Moramarco was chief executive officer for Constellation's fine wine group, Icon Estates, with headquarters in California's Napa Valley. A 12th generation winemaker, Moramarco joined Constellation Brands as chief executive officer at Canandaigua Wine Company in 1999. Christensen joined Constellation Brands in 1997 as west coast controller for Canandaigua Wine Company. He was subsequently promoted vice president and assistant controller for Barton Brands, Constellation's beer and spirits group headquartered in Chicago, in 1999, became Barton's chief financial officer in 1999, and was named chief financial officer for Constellation Europe in 2006. Klein joined Constellation in 2004 after working at a variety of public and private companies in finance, accounting, operating and mergers and acquisitions positions.
About Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands, Inc. is a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol brands with a broad portfolio across the wine, spirits and imported beer categories. Well-known brands in Constellation's portfolio include: Almaden, Arbor Mist, Vendange, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Hardys, Goundrey, Nobilo, Kim Crawford, Alice White, Ruffino, Kumala, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Rex Goliath, Toasted Head, Blackstone, Ravenswood, Estancia, Franciscan Oakville Estate, Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs, Simi, Robert Mondavi Winery, Stowells, Blackthorn, Black Velvet, Mr. Boston, Fleischmann's, Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy, Chi-Chi's, 99 Schnapps, Ridgemont Reserve 1792 and Effen Vodka. Constellation Brands, through Crown Imports LLC, imports and markets Corona Extra, Corona Light, Pacifico, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, St. Pauli Girl and Tsingtao beers. For additional information about Constellation Brands, as well as its product portfolio, visit the company's Web site at www.cbrands.com.
SOURCE Constellation Brands, Inc.
CONTACT: Media - Mike Martin, +1-585-218-3669, or Kevin Harwood,
+1-585-218-3666, or Investor Relations - Bob Czudak, +1-585-218-3668
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040119/STZLOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.cbrands.com
(STZ STZB)