Consumer Reports Appoints Two New Members to Board of Directors

Two New Board Members YONKERS, NY – Consumer Reports, the largest and most trusted consumer organization in the world, has named two new members to its Board of Directors.

R. Anthony Benten, senior vice president of finance and corporate controller at The New York Times Company, and Joaquin Alvarado, CEO for The Center for Investigative Reporting, were appointed to the Consumer Reports Board of Directors effective January 22, 2015.

“I am thrilled to welcome Tony and Joaquin to our Board. They each bring an unwavering commitment to quality journalism that will help guide our organization as we build a consumer movement and empower people to create a more fair and just society,” said Diane Archer, Board Chair.

Mr. Benten brings with him decades of experience in leading financial strategy for diverse organizations in a time of digital transformation.

“Tony’s understanding of what it takes to run a complex multimedia organization in today’s competitive environment will help to keep Consumer Reports smart, strong and focused,” continued Ms. Archer.

Mr. Benten has been at The New York Times Company since 1989, serving in various roles including Treasurer and Director, Finance and Pension Investments. He also worked at Deloitte & Touche and was formerly a Board member and Treasurer of Worldwide Orphans Foundation.

“I’ve been reading Consumer Reports avidly for more than 30 years,” Mr. Benten said. “CR is a trusted, independent voice for a fair and safe marketplace. I am excited to be working with management and the rest of the esteemed Board of Directors to help CR achieve its strategic vision and provide innovative new products to its growing audience.”

Joaquin Alvarado has a deep passion for public service journalism. The Center for Investigative Reporting, like Consumer Reports, seeks to empower the public with groundbreaking stories that spark action, improve lives and strengthen our democracy.

“Joaquin leads an organization that has kept journalism relevant in the digital age, reporting stories that expose wrongdoing by those at the highest echelons of power,” continued Ms. Archer.

Mr. Alvarado has been with The Center for Investigative Reporting since 2012, serving in various roles before becoming CEO in 2014. Before joining CIR, he served as senior vice president for digital innovation at American Public Media and founding senior vice president for diversity and innovation at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Mr. Alvarado is the founder of CoCo Studios, which developed media collaboration and game technologies for fiber and mobile networks, and the founding director of the Institute for Next Generation Internet, which launched in 2005 from San Francisco State University.

“The rights of citizens and consumers in democracy are based on access to factual and unbiased information,” Mr. Alvarado said. “The work of Consumer Reports to educate, inform, and engage communities on critical issues that impact their lives is exceptional and uniquely American. I am proud to join the CR Board and contribute in any way I can to the success of the entire organization in serving our audiences and communities.”

Marta Tellado, the recently appointed President and CEO of Consumer Reports, added that “Tony and Joaquin share a passion for serving the public interest and a deep commitment to pursuing a more transparent, fair and competitive marketplace that meets and reflects the needs of all consumers.”

About Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.

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