Charles River Associates (CRA) Promotes Monica Noether to COO and Chad Holmes to Global Leader of Corporate Development; Elizabeth Ramos Joins as Global Leader of Human Capital

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Charles River Associates (Nasdaq: CRAI), a worldwide leader in providing management, economic, and financial consulting services, today announced the promotions of Monica Noether to Chief Operating Officer and Chad Holmes to Global Leader of Corporate Development, as well as the hiring of Elizabeth Ramos as Global Leader of Human Capital. Dr. Noether will succeed current COO Paul Maleh, who was recently named President and CEO, effective at the start of fiscal 2010 in late November.

“As I transition to my role as CRA’s President and CEO, it is a pleasure to announce the newest appointments to our leadership team”

“As I transition to my role as CRA’s President and CEO, it is a pleasure to announce the newest appointments to our leadership team,” said Mr. Maleh. “We would like to congratulate Monica Noether on her promotion to Chief Operating Officer and Chad Holmes on his promotion to Global Leader of Corporate Development, and we would like to welcome Elizabeth Ramos as our new Global Leader of Human Capital. Monica and Chad have played influential roles at CRA and have been key contributors to our success as a leading consulting firm. Monica has been instrumental as a leader across our consulting and administrative organizations. Her talents, skills, and understanding of our company, clients, employees, and industry make her an ideal choice to succeed me as COO. Chad’s promotion also is a natural progression as he has steadily taken on more responsibilities and demonstrated strong leadership in our global corporate development area. Liz Ramos is a well-established executive-level HR practitioner and joins CRA with an impressive background in both human capital and consulting earned at Fidelity Private Equity and Bain & Company. We’re pleased to welcome her to CRA.”

Mr. Maleh concluded, “As we enter the next phase of CRA’s development, we look forward to the collective contributions of these three individuals in maintaining our consulting excellence, advancing our competitive position, and providing a stimulating environment for our employees to work and thrive.”

Since joining CRA in 1996, Monica Noether, 56, has led the firm’s Competition Practice, and later headed all of the firm’s litigation and applied economic service offerings as well as serving as an expert in health antitrust economics. Most recently, she has served as Executive Vice President responsible for marketing and business development, and the integration and growth of the firm’s start-up practices, including Labor & Employment, Financial Economics, Aerospace & Defense, and Auctions & Competitive Bidding. As COO, Dr. Noether will work closely with Mr. Maleh in overseeing the Company’s global consulting operations and administrative functions.

Chad Holmes, 36, has been involved with CRA’s corporate development activities since joining CRA in 2004. As Global Leader of Corporate Development, Mr. Holmes will be involved with strategic growth-oriented initiatives involving practice and geographic expansions as well as talent acquisition, including group hires and mergers and acquisitions. Previously, Mr. Holmes served in a variety of operational and administrative roles at legacy firms to CRA. He also has experience as a consultant in the areas of intellectual property and business valuation.

Elizabeth Ramos, 50, is a highly experienced operations and talent executive. She will lead all areas of human capital, including recruiting, compensation and benefits, and professional development. Ms. Ramos joins CRA from Fidelity Private Equity where she was Senior Vice President of Human Capital responsible for developing human capital strategies, structures, and processes. Prior to that, she was a partner for more than 15 years at Bain & Company. During her last six years at Bain, she became the firm’s first partner for global human capital and managed the areas of global consultant recruitment, human capital, compensation and benefits, professional development, and career development.

About Charles River Associates (CRA)

Founded in 1965, Charles River Associates® is a leading global consulting firm that offers economic, financial and business management expertise to major law firms, businesses, accounting firms and governments. The Company's consultants combine uncommon analytical rigor with practical experience and in-depth understanding of industries and markets. CRA is adept at handling critical, tough assignments with high-stakes outcomes. The Company's analytical strength enables it to reach objective, factual conclusions that help clients make important business and policy decisions and resolve critical disputes. Headquartered in Boston, CRA has offices throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Detailed information about Charles River Associates, a registered trade name of CRA International, Inc., is available at http://www.crai.com.