Constellation Brands announced today a pair of executive leadership moves within its beer division.
Jim Sabia, who has served as EVP and managing director of Constellation’s Beer division since February 2021, has been promoted to EVP and president of Constellation’s beer division, effective immediately. The move gives Sabia daily oversight of the company’s U.S. commercial beer business and operations, which include popular Mexican imports Modelo, Corona and Pacifico.
Paul Hetterich will transition to EVP and chair of the beer division, giving him responsibility over Constellation’s beer operations in Mexico, including capital projects. The company is building a new brewery in the state of Veracruz in southeastern Mexico, while continuing to expand its facilities in Nava and Obregon.
“Constellation’s beer business has driven unparalleled growth in the industry, and we have bold ambitions to continue to deliver more well into the future,” Bill Newlands, Constellation’s president and CEO, said in a press release. “A driving force behind this success has been the quality and strength of our overall team, and our strength and continuity of leadership. I look forward to both Jim’s and Paul’s continued partnership with our executive management committee to deliver on our longer-term goals.”
Sabia has spent 15 years with the company and served as CMO of Constellation’s beer division in 2009 before taking the CMO role eight years later.
In February 2021, Sabia moved into the newly created role of EVP and managing director of Constellation’s beer division following the exit of beer marketing lead John Alvarado.
Constellation Brands’ portfolio of brands ranked as the third best-selling beer category vendor in 2021, increasing off-premise dollar sales +7.3%, to $6.63 billion, according to market research firm IRI. The Modelo (+14%, to $3.34 billion) and Corona (+2.2%, to $2.84 billion) brand families ranked as the second- and fourth-largest brand families, respectively, in off-premise retailers. Modelo Especial (+13.6% year-over-year, to $2.98 billion) ranked as the No. 2 best-selling off-premise brand, trailing Bud Light, the firm reported.