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1966
In April 1966, the first Consumer Assembly was held and cosponsored by thirty national organizations representing workers, small farmers, consumer cooperatives, and women, as well as other consumers.
At the meeting, White House Consumer Adviser Esther Peterson urged the creation of a federation of national, state, and local groups to press for consumer legislation.
Consumer Assembly 1966 program
Esther Peterson
CFA logo (1968)
Erma and Dave Angevine
1968
As a result of Esther Peterson’s call to action, leaders from 56 consumer groups came together to form the Consumer Federation of America, led by Erma Angevine.
Erma Angevine had previously worked for numerous cooperative organizations, where her work included directing women’s activities and serving as consumer lobbyist.
1968-1972
Erma Angevine's twofold mission at CFA was to take the lead on numerous consumer issues while building the organization from scratch.
Angevine served as executive director during an upsurge of consumer activism and by 1969, she had persuaded 140 groups to join the federation.
CFA News (1973)
Carol Tucker Foreman
1973
In 1973 Carol Tucker Foreman succeeded Erma Angevine as Executive Director.
The daughter and granddaughter of Arkansas politicians, Foreman had worked on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, and in the advocacy community before joining CFA.
1973-1977
Because of the effectiveness of Carol Tucker Foreman and her staff, CFA was taken seriously on Capitol Hill and widely quoted in the press.
To encourage the election of a pro-consumer Congress, CFA established a Political Action Committee (PAC) that endorsed but did not make financial contributions to congressional candidates.
Foreman displaying her farewell gift from CFA
Kathleen O'Reilly
1977
In 1977, Carol Tucker Foreman was appointed Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was succeeded as CFA Executive Director by Kathleen O’Reilly.
O’Reilly had practiced law, including helping draft the first federal no-fault insurance legislation.
1977-1980
At CFA, O’Reilly was known for her forceful consumer advocacy, testifying more than 200 times before congressional and state legislative bodies.
During her tenure, O’Reilly led successful congressional efforts to reduce sugar price supports and expand protections against credit discrimination. She also worked on a failed effort to create a federal consumer protection agency.
Mark Cooper
Stephen Brobeck
1980
In early 1980, Kathleen O’Reilly left CFA to run for Congress and was replaced by Stephen Brobeck.
Brobeck had served on the CFA board from 1976 to 1979 and helped lead a grassroots consumer organization, Cleveland Consumer Action. Brobeck ran the federation until 2018 serving as a builder by helping to attract consumer protection experts to CFA’s staff.
1980-1990
In an era marked by a string efforts to stifle regulatory agencies and the deregulation of essential consumer services, CFA was challenged to continue advocating for consumer interests.
Working to ensure affordable phone services for lower income consumers, creating the SAFE Food Coalition and seeking stronger safety and soundness safeguards in congressional legislation in response to the savings-and-loan crisis.
1990s
CFA was able to persuade Congress to reregulate cable television rates in the early 1990s and was instrumental in helping to pass The Truth in Savings Act of 1991 requiring savings account and home equity loan disclosures and protections.
CFA's SAFE Food Coalition, convinced the Clinton Administration to institute a systematic approach to food safety. In 1997, the Universal Service Fund was created and CFA and its allies convinced congress to extend this service to wireless and broadband services.
2000s
During the Clinton administration, Congress did little to help consumers. But during the George W. Bush administration, which followed, a new wave of congressional consumer reform began to build, cresting in 2010.
America Saves (2001)
In 2001, under the leadership of CFA's Associate Director Nancy Register, an initiative aimed at motivating, encouraging, and supporting low-to moderate-income households in saving money, reducing debt, and building wealth called America Saves was created.
Since its inception, America Saves has grown to include programs for young workers and servicemembers and nonprofit, government, and corporate groups participate in America Saves annually through America Saves Week.
2010s
During this time, CFA championed the efforts of state and local groups as they worked to end unfair and discriminatory auto insurance pricing. As a result, several states banned insurers from using non-driving factors in the pricing of policies including occupation, education, marital status, and credit score.
Gillis testifying before Congress
Jack Gillis
2018
In 2018, Stephen Brobeck retired after 38 years of service and was succeeded as CFA Executive Director by longtime Public Affairs Director Jack Gillis.
Gillis was a renowned consumer advocate and author of many consumer books including The Car Book. Gillis’ advocacy was responsible for major changes in the automobile industry, including significantly improved vehicle safety, better warranties, and increased fuel efficiency.
2018-2022
Susan Weinstock, Amb. Katherine Tai, Sec. Rohit Chopra & Janet Domenitz
Susan Weinstock
2022
In 2022, Jack Gillis retired and Susan Weinstock became CFA's Executive Director.
Weinstock, a former CFA staffer, spent 20 years in various positions at AARP, served as Director of the Consumer Banking Project at the Pew Charitable Trusts, and as Director of the Office of Consumer Policy at the U.S. Treasury. While at CFA she was part of the team that pushed hard for the Dodd-Frank Act and the establishment of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Consumer Assembly headlines (1976)
CFA's 10th Anniversary (1978)
Study ranks CFA #9 (1979)
Jack Gillis and Stephen Brobeck
Truth in Savings Act (1991)
