LKQ Corporation, the parent company of Keystone Automotive and its NTP-STAG RV distribution division, announced that its board of directors has appointed Salvatore A. “Sal” Abbate as president and chief executive officer, effective Dec. 15. He succeeds Justin Jude, who departed the company effective Oct. 23. Until Abbate assumes the role of president and chief executive officer, the company has established an interim office of the chief executive officer to provide ongoing leadership continuity, consisting of John Mendel, chairman of the board, and Sue Gove, chair of LKQ’s Audit Committee. The office of the chief executive officer will work closely with LKQ’s leadership teams and management in overseeing the company’s operations during the interim period.
Abbate brings more than three decades of experience leading large, complex distribution and industrial businesses. As CEO of Veritiv Corporation, he led a transformation of the company, with its share price increasing more than 13-fold during his tenure, culminating in its $2.6 billion sale to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in 2023. Before becoming CEO, he served as Veritiv’s Chief operating officer and chief commercial officer. Earlier in his career, Abbate held senior leadership roles at Andersen Windows & Doors, Solutia Inc., now part of Eastman Chemical Company, and Armstrong World Industries, with responsibilities spanning sales, marketing, distribution, logistics, manufacturing, strategy and process improvement.
Abbate’s experience aligns closely with LKQ’s strategic and operational priorities, the company said. He has led high-volume, multisite distribution businesses where pricing, procurement and supply chain discipline are critical to performance, and has led portfolio transformation focused on margin improvement and cash generation. He also brings public-company and international experience. 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.
“After a thorough search, the board concluded that Sal is the right leader for LKQ at this moment,” said John Mendel, chairman of the board. “He is a disciplined operator and people-centered leader, who has transformed a complex distribution business, improved margins and created significant value for shareholders. Sal brings the operating rigor, commercial instincts and sense of urgency we need to sharpen execution across our businesses and unlock the full potential of LKQ. On behalf of the board, I also want to thank Justin for his years of service and contributions to LKQ.”
“LKQ is an exceptional company, with unmatched scale, leading market positions and a deep bench of talented people,” said Abbate. “There is meaningful opportunity to improve performance, and I intend to move quickly. That starts with listening to our customers and teams, fostering a culture where our people can succeed and thrive, driving disciplined execution across every region and holding ourselves accountable for results. I’m honored to lead LKQ and look forward to working with the board and the team to build a stronger, more profitable company.”
