Stuart R Benton CPA, CGMA

In his more than 30-year career including Public Accounting, Senior Management positions and as a Board Member at both privately held and private equity-owned entities, Stuart has been recognized for his ability to transform companies by actively understanding their drivers, people, and strategies.

In March 2024 Benton, was a Dealmaker of the Year Honoree at the Smart Business Deal Maker's Conference.  In 2022 the Providence Business Journal named Stuart one of the year's "Leaders & Achievers," and in 2021, The Providence Business Journal named Stuart as their Strategic Leadership Award winner. Also, in 2021 INNCOS named Stuart a finalist for their Leader of Change - Pandemic Response.  In 2016, the Boston Business Journal named Stuart CFO of the Year in the Large Private Company Category.

In March 2024, Stuart was named CFO for Reiser.  For more than 60 years with operations in the US, Canada and the UK, Reiser has been a leading supplier of processing and packaging equipment solutions for the sausage, meat, poultry, seafood, prepared food, bakery, cheese and pet food industries. During that time, the company has gained recognition for its high-quality equipment, innovative engineering, and outstanding service and support.  In his role Stuart leads Accounting, Finance, IT, Legal, Human Resources, Procurement and Operations.

As Bradford's President & CEO, he focused the company on sustainable formulations, with products that boast clean ingredient lists, less packaging, contain little or no water, and fewer preservatives than liquid alternatives. Under Stuart's leadership, Bradford transformed from a commodity based soaper to become the world's leading manufacturer of specialty bar soap ultimately becoming the solid personal care innovation development company with a core competency in manufacturing.  In June 2023 Stuart led the sale of Bradford to Private Equity.

Stuart is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He earned his BS in Accountancy from Bentley College, an Executive Master of Business Administration from Suffolk University, and studied in Harvard University's Executive Education Program.

He enjoys the boards he serves on and has been an active member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), where he has served on the Board and in several leadership roles. He has also served on the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), served as the Chairman of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, and served on the Board of the Rhode Island Society of CPAs. 

Stuart is also involved in the community and has served on boards of many nonprofit organizations, currently he is the Chair of the Audit & Compliance Committee for the Old Colony Y.   Founded in 1887, Old Colony YMCA is a nonprofit organization that serves more than 100,000 individuals in over 30 communities in southeastern Massachusetts which helps individuals who face the life-long challenges of mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency, and developmental disabilities.