Mr. Sands previously served as Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company from March 2019 through November 2022 and as Chairman of the Board of the Company from September 1999 through February 2019. He was employed by the Company in various capacities from 1979 through November 2022. He served as Chief Executive Officer from October 1993 to July 2007, as President from May 1986 to December 2002, as Chief Operating Officer from May 1986 to October 1993, and as Executive Vice President from 1982 to May 1986. He is the brother of Robert Sands. During the period of Mr. Sands leadership, the Company expanded through a combination of organic internal growth and inorganic mergers and acquisitions to become a leading global producer and marketer of beverage alcohol brands across imported beer, wine, and spirits. Under the experienced leadership of Mr. Richard Sands and his brother Mr. Robert Sands, the Company grew from a regional wine company to a publicly traded total beverage alcohol company in the S&P 500 with revenues for Fiscal 2023 in excess of $9 billion. Mr. Sands brings to the Board deep experience with the Company s management, strategic priorities, and history. He has been a dynamic leader for decades, bringing his diverse skill set to bear in both the board room and operations of the Company. Mr. Sands was nominated to the Board by WildStar pursuant to the terms of the Reclassification Agreement.