LKQ Corporation Appoints Automotive Industry Leader John Mendel as Chairman of the Board
LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) has appointed John Mendel as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mendel, who has served on the board since 2018, brings over 45 years of automotive industry experience, including executive roles at American Honda, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and Mazda America.
Current Chairman Guhan Subramanian will step down and remain on the board until his planned retirement on January 1, 2026, ensuring a smooth transition. The appointment comes as part of LKQ's ongoing efforts to enhance corporate governance practices and follows a comprehensive board composition review.
LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) ha nominato con effetto immediato John Mendel come Presidente del Consiglio di Amministrazione. Mendel, membro del board dal 2018, vanta oltre 45 anni di esperienza nel settore automobilistico, con ruoli dirigenziali in aziende come American Honda, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury e Mazda America.
L'attuale Presidente, Guhan Subramanian, si dimetterà dalla carica ma resterà nel consiglio fino al suo pensionamento programmato il 1° gennaio 2026, per garantire una transizione ordinata. La nomina si inserisce nelle iniziative di LKQ per rafforzare le pratiche di governance aziendale ed è il risultato di una revisione approfondita della composizione del board.
LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) ha nombrado con efecto inmediato a John Mendel como Presidente del Consejo de Administración. Mendel, que forma parte del consejo desde 2018, aporta más de 45 años de experiencia en la industria automotriz, habiendo ocupado puestos ejecutivos en American Honda, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury y Mazda America.
El actual presidente, Guhan Subramanian, dimitirá como presidente pero permanecerá en el consejo hasta su jubilación prevista para el 1 de enero de 2026, asegurando una transición fluida. El nombramiento forma parte de los esfuerzos continuos de LKQ por mejorar las prácticas de gobierno corporativo y sigue a una revisión exhaustiva de la composición del consejo.
LKQ Corporation (나스닥: LKQ)는 즉시 발효로 존 멘델(John Mendel)을 이사회 의장으로 임명했습니다. 2018년부터 이사회에 참여해온 멘델은 American Honda, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda America 등에서 임원으로 활동한 경력을 포함하여 자동차 업계에서 45년 이상의 경험을 보유하고 있습니다.
현 의장인 구한 수브라마니안(Guhan Subramanian)은 의장직에서 물러나지만 예정된 은퇴일인 2026년 1월 1일까지 이사회에 남아 원활한 인수인계를 돕습니다. 이번 임명은 LKQ의 기업 거버넌스 개선 노력의 일환이며, 이사회 구성에 대한 종합 검토에 따른 결정입니다.
LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) a nommé avec effet immédiat John Mendel au poste de Président du Conseil d'administration. Mendel, membre du conseil depuis 2018, apporte plus de 45 ans d'expérience dans l'industrie automobile, ayant occupé des postes de direction chez American Honda, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury et Mazda America.
L'actuel président, Guhan Subramanian, démissionnera de la présidence mais restera au conseil jusqu'à sa retraite prévue le 1er janvier 2026, afin d'assurer une transition en douceur. Cette nomination s'inscrit dans les efforts continus de LKQ pour améliorer la gouvernance d'entreprise et fait suite à un examen approfondi de la composition du conseil.
LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) hat John Mendel mit sofortiger Wirkung zum Vorsitzenden des Vorstands ernannt. Mendel, der seit 2018 im Board sitzt, bringt über 45 Jahre Erfahrung in der Automobilbranche mit, darunter Führungspositionen bei American Honda, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury und Mazda America.
Der bisherige Vorsitzende, Guhan Subramanian, tritt von der Rolle zurück, bleibt jedoch bis zu seinem geplanten Ruhestand am 1. Januar 2026 im Vorstand, um einen reibungslosen Übergang sicherzustellen. Die Ernennung ist Teil von LKQs fortlaufenden Maßnahmen zur Stärkung der Unternehmensführung und folgt einer umfassenden Überprüfung der Board-Zusammensetzung.
- Appointment of highly experienced automotive industry veteran with 45+ years of experience
- Smooth leadership transition with current chairman remaining until January 2026
- Strategic focus on business portfolio simplification and lean operating model
- Proactive corporate governance improvements through board composition review
- Loss of long-term board member with Subramanian's upcoming retirement
Guhan Subramanian Retires as Chairman and Intends to Retire from the Board on January 1, 2026
ANTIOCH, Tenn., Aug. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) (“LKQ” or the “Company”) today announced that John Mendel has been elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective immediately. This follows Guhan Subramanian’s decision to step down as Chairman this month and to retire from the Board on January 1, 2026. Mr. Subramanian has agreed to remain on the Board for the duration of the year to support a seamless transition process and other initiatives in progress.
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance its corporate governance practices, LKQ has been actively reviewing its Board composition, policies and procedures with the support of highly qualified outside advisors. This process resulted in Mr. Mendel being identified as the right individual to serve as the Company’s next Chairman. He has been a member of the Board since August 2018. He also brings extensive automotive and wholesale distribution industry experience having served as an executive with American Honda, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Mazda America over his more than 45-year career.
Mr. Mendel commented: “I am incredibly excited to become Chairman and to work with the leadership team in new and creative ways to accelerate the execution of LKQ’s strategic priorities. We are going to retain an intense focus on simplifying our business portfolio, further implementing a leaner operating model, investing in organic growth opportunities and maintaining a balanced capital allocation policy. The Board has a robust and proactive working relationship with Justin Jude, who is committed to moving with speed and urgency to capture greater market share and enhance shareholder value. On behalf of everyone at LKQ, I also want to take this opportunity to thank Guhan for his contributions, leadership and vision during his tenure on the Board.”
Mr. Jude offered: “I also want to thank Guhan for his service at LKQ. By bringing in fresh perspectives and diverse expertise, we are positioning our Company for sustained growth and success. The new insights and innovative ideas from the refreshed Board will undoubtedly contribute to our strategic goals and drive greater value for our shareholders.”
Mr. Subramanian commented:
“Serving on the Board of LKQ, as we have built this business over the past decade, has been an honor. I thank the entire executive team and Board for their hard work and dedication.”
About John Mendel
Mr. Mendel was the Executive Vice President, Automotive Division, of American Honda Motor Company from November 2004 until his retirement in April 2017, where he was responsible for Automotive business sales, marketing, product development, public relations, vehicle planning, logistics and distribution.
Prior to Honda, he worked for Ford Motor Company from July 1976 to November 2004, including in a variety of roles related to field operations and commercial marketing across the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands, before serving as Chief Operating Officer of Mazda America from 2001 to 2004.
Mr. Mendel received a B.A. in business and economics from Austin College and an M.B.A. from Duke University.
About LKQ Corporation
LKQ Corporation (www.lkqcorp.com) is a leading provider of alternative and specialty parts to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles. LKQ has operations in North America, Europe and Taiwan. LKQ offers its customers a broad range of OEM recycled and aftermarket parts, replacement systems, components, equipment, and services to repair and accessorize automobiles, trucks, and recreational and performance vehicles.
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Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our outlook, guidance, expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions and strategies. These statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors including those identified below. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to us at the time the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from the events or results predicted or implied by our forward-looking statements include, among others, changes in our cash position or cash requirements for other purposes, fluctuations in the price of our common stock, general market conditions, and stockholder response to the repurchase program; and other factors discussed in our filings with the SEC, including those disclosed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These reports are available on our investor relations website at lkqcorp.com and on the SEC website at sec.gov.
Contacts
For Investors:
Joseph P. Boutross
Vice President, Investor Relations
LKQ Corporation
(312) 621-2793
jpboutross@lkqcorp.com
For Media:
Whit Clay
Partner, Head of New York Office
Longacre Square Partners
(917) 601-6012
wclay@longacresquare.com
FAQ
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