LKQ Corporation has appointed Salvatore A. "Sal" Abbate as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, the Nasdaq-listed alternative and specialty parts provider announced on Oct. 23. Abbate takes the role effective Dec. 15, 2026, and succeeds Justin Jude, who left the company on the day of the announcement.
Until Abbate starts, LKQ has set up an interim Office of the Chief Executive Officer made up of John Mendel, chairman of the board, and Sue Gove, chair of the company's Audit Committee. The office will work with LKQ's leadership teams and management to oversee operations during the transition.
Distribution background
LKQ said Abbate has more than three decades of experience leading large, complex distribution and industrial businesses. He most recently served as CEO of Veritiv Corporation, where the company said he led a significant transformation. LKQ said Veritiv's share price rose more than 13-fold during his tenure, which ended with the company's $2.6 billion sale to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in 2023. Before becoming CEO, he was Veritiv's chief operating officer and chief commercial officer.
Earlier in his career, Abbate held senior leadership roles at Andersen Windows & Doors, Solutia (now part of Eastman Chemical Company) and Armstrong World Industries, with responsibilities spanning sales, marketing, distribution, logistics, manufacturing, strategy and process improvement. He currently serves on the board of ArcBest. He 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.
LKQ said his experience lines up with its priorities, pointing to his work running high-volume, multi-site distribution businesses where pricing, procurement and supply chain discipline are critical, and to portfolio transformation focused on margin improvement and cash generation.
What the board and the incoming CEO said
Mendel said the board ran a search before settling on Abbate.
After a thorough search, the Board concluded that Sal is the right leader for LKQ at this moment. He is a disciplined operator and people-centered leader, who has transformed a complex distribution business, improved margins and created significant value for shareholders.
John Mendel, chairman of the board, LKQ Corporation
Mendel also thanked Jude for his years of service and contributions to the company.
Abbate said he sees room to improve performance and plans to act quickly.
LKQ is an exceptional company, with unmatched scale, leading market positions and a deep bench of talented people. There is meaningful opportunity to improve performance, and I intend to move quickly.
Sal Abbate, incoming president and CEO, LKQ Corporation
Abbate added that his focus would start with listening to customers and teams, building a culture where employees can succeed, and driving disciplined execution across every region.
About LKQ
LKQ describes itself as a leading provider of alternative and specialty parts used to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles, with operations in North America, Europe and Taiwan. Its offering spans OE recycled and aftermarket parts, replacement systems, components, equipment and services for automobiles, trucks, and recreational and performance vehicles. The full announcement is available on LKQ's investor relations site.
