Constellation Brands Announces CEO Transition, Nicholas Fink to Lead Rochester-Based Beverage Giant

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Constellation Brands, one of the largest beverage alcohol companies in the United States and a cornerstone of Rochester’s corporate landscape, announced Thursday that Nicholas Fink will become its next President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 13, 2026.

Fink will succeed Bill Newlands, who has served as President and CEO since 2019. Newlands will step down from the role on April 13 and remain as a strategic advisor for several months to support the leadership transition. He will also retire from Constellation’s Board of Directors on that date.

The announcement follows what the company described as a multi-year CEO succession planning process led by its Board.

“Nick has a diversified set of leadership experiences and is an accomplished beverage alcohol executive with a deep understanding of Constellation’s business model,” Board Chair Chris Baldwin said in a statement. Baldwin noted that Fink has served on Constellation’s Board since 2021 and brings perspective that positions the company for long-term success in what it called a “rapidly evolving and hyper-competitive environment.”

A Strategic Leadership Shift for a Fortune 500 Anchor

Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ), headquartered in Rochester, is a global producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits, with operations across the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company’s portfolio includes Corona Extra, Modelo Especial, Pacifico, The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Kim Crawford, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey.

The leadership change comes at a time when Constellation continues to outperform many large consumer packaged goods (CPG) peers, particularly in imported beer. Under Newlands’ leadership, Modelo Especial rose to become the No. 1 selling beer in U.S. dollar sales, a milestone that reshaped competitive dynamics in the American beer market.

Newlands, who joined Constellation in 2015, oversaw a strategic reshaping of the company’s Wine & Spirits portfolio, pivoting toward higher-end, premium brands aligned with shifting consumer preferences. During his tenure, Constellation was consistently ranked among top growth leaders among large CPG companies.

“Under Bill’s direction, we’ve established a strong leadership team and a portfolio of iconic brands that are outperforming the market,” Baldwin said. “Constellation Brands has a solid foundation from which to continue building.”

Fink’s Background: Public Company CEO with Global Spirits Experience

Fink currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Fortune Brands Innovations, a global home, security, and digital products company, a role he has held since January 2020. During his tenure, he led the company through the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated digital transformation efforts, and repositioned the business toward higher-growth segments.

Before leading Fortune Brands Innovations, Fink spent nine years at Suntory Global Spirits, holding senior leadership roles including President of Asia Pacific and South America and Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer.

His background in beverage alcohol and global operations is expected to be central as Constellation navigates evolving consumer trends, premiumization, innovation cycles, and competitive pressures across beer, wine, and spirits.

“I’ve long admired Constellation’s ability to build iconic brands that resonate strongly with consumers,” Fink said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the Constellation team to further build on the company’s core strengths while developing new growth platforms that meet the evolving needs of consumers.”

What It Means for Rochester and Western New York

Constellation Brands remains one of the most significant publicly traded companies headquartered in Rochester, with national brand recognition and global distribution. Leadership transitions at companies of this scale carry implications not only for shareholders, but also for regional talent pipelines, executive leadership visibility, and Western New York’s corporate footprint.

As Rochester continues to position itself as a hub for advanced manufacturing, optics, food and beverage, and innovation-driven companies, Constellation’s stability and growth trajectory remain a key pillar of the region’s business ecosystem.

The company said the transition is structured to ensure continuity, with Newlands serving as strategic advisor in the months following April 13. The board emphasized that the succession plan has been deliberate and comprehensive.

Looking Ahead

Constellation stated that forward-looking statements in the announcement include expectations around leadership transition timing, long-term strategy, and continued performance in a competitive beverage alcohol landscape. As with all public company guidance, those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties outlined in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For now, the message is one of continuity with strategic evolution: a Rochester-based Fortune 500 company preparing for its next chapter under new executive leadership.

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