LKQ Moves Up Salvatore Abbate's Start as CEO to Nov. 9, Ending Interim Office of the CEO

Published November 9, 2026 at 9:18 AM EST

LKQ Corporation said Salvatore A. "Sal" Abbate took over as President and Chief Executive Officer on Monday, Nov. 9, 36 days ahead of the Dec. 15 start date the auto parts provider had announced last month, according to an 8-K filed the same day.

Abbate also joined LKQ's board of directors on Nov. 9 and became the company's principal executive officer for SEC reporting purposes, the filing says.

LKQ's board first announced Abbate's appointment on Oct. 23, 2026, with service as CEO and director set to begin Dec. 15. Other details about him from that earlier 8-K are incorporated by reference in Monday's filing.

Interim leadership ends

Abbate's early arrival concludes the interim Office of the CEO, made up of Chairman John Mendel and Audit Committee Chair Sue Gove, that has overseen LKQ's operations since Oct. 23, the company said in its press release.

"Sal is a proven operator, and the Board has full confidence in him," Mendel said. "Having him in place earlier gives him more time with our teams and customers heading into 2027."

Abbate said he was excited to join earlier than planned.

"LKQ has the scale and reach to be the first call for its customers," he said. "My job is to make sure we execute at the level that scale should deliver, and I'm looking forward to working with our teams to get there."

What LKQ does

LKQ, based in Antioch, Tennessee, describes itself as a leading provider of alternative and specialty parts used to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles. It has operations in North America, Europe and Taiwan and sells OE recycled and aftermarket parts, replacement systems, components, equipment and services for automobiles, trucks, and recreational and performance vehicles.

The filing did not disclose any new compensation terms for Abbate beyond those incorporated from the October 8-K.

Sources

LKQ Corporation Form 8-K on accelerated start of President and CEO Salvatore A. Abbate (Item 5.02), with press release (Exhibit 99.1), filed Nov. 9, 2026 (accession 0001065696-26-000058)

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