CONSTELLATION BRANDS

 – Robert Shea, Senior Vice President and National Sales Director for Svedka vodka and a 4O-year beverage alcohol industry veteran, has retired.  In 2OO2, when Shea joined Spirits Marque One, the firm sold about 8O,OOO cases of Svedka in 2O states.  Constellation Brands purchased the brand in 2OO7, and today it is a 3.8-million case brand, the number-two best selling imported vodka and the eighth largest spirits brand in the country.  Shea began his career in the beverage alcohol industry in 1972 as a sales representative for The Heublein Company.  He’s also worked for JE Seagram’s and Hiram Walker.