LKQ names Salvatore Abbate as CEO, effective December 15

LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) has appointed Salvatore A. Abbate as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 15, 2026, succeeding Justin Jude, who departed the company on October 23, 2026.

Until Abbate assumes the role, LKQ has established an interim Office of the Chief Executive Officer consisting of John Mendel, Chairman of the Board, and Sue Gove, Chair of LKQ's Audit Committee.

Abbate brings more than three decades of experience in distribution and industrial businesses. He previously served as CEO of Veritiv Corporation, where the company was sold to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice for $2.6 billion in 2023. Before becoming CEO at Veritiv, he held the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer. He has also held senior positions at Andersen Windows & Doors, Solutia Inc., and Armstrong World Industries. He currently serves on the board of ArcBest (Nasdaq: ARCB).

Abbate holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

"After a thorough search, the Board concluded that Sal is the right leader for LKQ at this moment," said Mendel. "He is a disciplined operator and people-centered leader, who has transformed a complex distribution business, improved margins and created significant value for shareholders."

LKQ, based in Antioch, Tennessee, provides alternative and specialty parts for automobiles and other vehicles, with operations in North America, Europe, and Taiwan.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Stem notified of NYSE noncompliance over market cap and equity
• Hyperliquid Strategies raises buyback program to $100 million
• Pasithea reports Phase 1 cancer trial data for PAS-004 at ESMO