Board of Directors

Richard Sands is the executive vice chair of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B), the leading premium wine company in the world, and the #1 beer importer and the #3 beer company in the U.S.During the 1990s and 2000s, under his direction, Constellation acquired numerous wine companies that included such legendary brands as Robert Mondavi, Simi, Clos du Bois and Franciscan Estates. Over the course of this expansion, the company purchased wineries in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom. Today, it retains its Canadian and New Zealand operations. In addition to growing its wine portfolio, Constellation expanded through acquisition to become the importer of the Modelo family of brands, which includes Corona Extra, the number one imported beer in the U.S. Additionally Richard led the acquisitions of key spirits brands including SVEDKA Vodka, Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy and Black Velvet Canadian Whisky.In 2007 under Richard’s leadership, Constellation Brands entered into a joint venture with Grupo Modelo for the distribution of a number of imported beer brands including Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, Pacifico and Victoria. In June of 2013, Constellation acquired the remaining portion of the beer joint venture along with a state-of-the-art brewery in Mexico and perpetual rights to produce the Grupo Modelo brands in the U.S. With the completion of this acquisition the company’s gross sales reach close to $6 billion, further cementing Constellation Brands as the largest multi-category supplier of beverage alcohol to distributors and retailers in the U.S.Constellation is headquartered in Rochester, New York where Richard resides with his wife and 6 children. He is actively involved in education and early childhood development organizations and serves as Chairman of Education Enterprises of New York. Richard serves on the board of trustees for the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology. He is also Chairman of the Friends of the Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center and Chairman of Cerion.

Theresa Mazzullo has been CEO of Excell Partners since 2006. She has a 30-year track record in business, finance and entrepreneurship. Having owned and sold a small business, she brings firsthand knowledge, unique skills, and proven experience to the seed stage investment arena. In her role as CEO, her duties include governance, compliance, reporting, community integration, finance and fundraising. In addition to her CEO position at Excell, Theresa co-founded Impact Capital NY, LLC. a privately-held VC Fund in upstate NY. Her fundraising ability has resulted in bringing over $60 million into the upstate ecosystem for investments in high tech startups.Theresa received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama and a Graduate Degree in Banking from Stonier, Delaware, MD. Her community activity includes: Treasurer & Member-Executive Committee, Greater Rochester Enterprise Board; Member of High Tech Rochester Board; Trustee, Farash Foundation; Member, NYS Governor's Regional Council and Co-Chair for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Subcommittee of NYS Regional Council; Member NYS's $100M Innovation Fund Investment Advisory Committee and MedTech Board Member. Theresa was named on the 2019 New York Tech Power 50 List by City & State NY magazine.

Landon Mertz is a distinguished business leader with over two decades of experience building innovative businesses. For the past 13 years, he has served as the Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Cerion Nanomaterials, leading the company to become a top provider of nanomaterials in the United States and European Union. He is passionate about advancing the growth and maturity of the nanomaterials industry and has been widely recognized for his work.As the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Nanomaterial Industries Association (NIA), he has represented the interests of users and makers of nanomaterials. Additionally, he is a valued contributor to the United States Presidential Council of Advisors for Science & Technology (PCAST) and a member of the Board of Advisors for the Midlands Advanced Ceramics Institute in the United Kingdom.Mr. Mertz is a frequent keynote speaker, moderator, panelist, and contributor, sharing his voice with important industry organizations such as the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative, Nanotechnologies Industry Association, TechConnect, Advanced Material Show, Nanotechnology Show, and Ceramics Expo. He is also regularly featured in industry magazines such as Wired, R&D Magazine, and Specialty Chemicals Magazine.Prior to Cerion, Mr. Mertz served as the Chief Operating Officer of Festival Network, a firm that develops and acquires large-scale, multi-day music festivals, and as the Chief Executive Officer of Intermedia, an experiential event marketing firm that produces large-scale events for Fortune 500 and 1000 companies.

Freddy Robinson is a partner with Bernard Robinson & Company, a CPA and Advisory firm founded by his father in 1947. Although the firm’s focus has always been on quality as opposed to size, the firm has now grown to become the largest Triad-based accounting firm, with offices in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and now Raleigh with over 100 people/60 CPAs. Freddy has been an integral part of the growth for more than 30 years. He is responsible for tax-related services to individuals and closely held businesses. Freddy’s areas of specialty include complex income tax issues, Internal Revenue Service examinations, mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, succession planning, estates and trusts, S corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and investment planning. With great focus on creating tax strategies for high wealth individuals, their families and their entrepreneurial enterprises, he is able to identify opportunities and creative solutions that help clients realize the greatest return on their investments, while minimizing taxes. Outside of the office, Freddy is active in many professional and civic organizations. Freddy received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Alex is currently an investor, strategic advisor and member of Cerion’s Board of Directors. He is also Chairman of Clear Water Greens a controlled environment agricultural company that develops and manages Hydroponic greenhouses to grow produce throughout the eastern United States as well as the managing partner of Volis AW a real estate investment fund focused on commercial as well as residential developments.Alex Wasilov is formerly President and CEO of Intrawest, a Vancouver, Canada based global leader in the development and management of experiential destination resorts. Intrawest was a public company that was sold to Fortress Investments in 2008.Prior to Intrawest Alex was President and COO of Hirtle Callaghan, an asset management firm providing outsourced Chief Investment Officer services and alternative investment opportunities for institutions and high net worth individuals.Alex was also President and COO of Rosenbluth International, a privately held global travel company providing comprehensive corporate travel management, meeting, event, incentive travel technology and procurement solutions to over 50% of Fortune’s top 100 companies. Rosenbluth was sold to American Express in 2003. Prior to being a leader in the travel industry Alex was President Emerging Markets for Xerox and EVP/COO Consumer Imaging at Eastman Kodak.