Consumer Reports Appoints Two New Members To Board Of Directors

YONKERS, N.Y., Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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 the world's largest and most trusted nonprofit, consumer organization driving marketplace change to improve the lives and amplify the voices of consumers.  Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has achieved substantial gains for consumers on food and product safety, financial reform, health and other issues. The organization has advanced important policies to cut hospital-acquired infections, prohibit predatory lending practices and combat dangerous toxins in food. Consumer Reports' independent testing and rating of thousands of products and services is made possible by its member-supported 50 plus labs, state-of-the-art auto test center and consumer research center. Consumers Union, a division of Consumer Reports, works for pro-consumer laws and regulations in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace. With more than eight million subscribers to its flagship magazine, website and other publications Consumer Reports accepts no advertising, payment or other support from the companies whose products it evaluates.

The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports^® is an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.  We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports^®, ConsumerReports.org^® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent commercial use of its materials, its name, or the name of Consumer Reports^®.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150225/177774

SOURCE Consumer Reports