LKQ Corporation
Leadership History
5 leaders · 1998 to present
Justin L. Jude is the CEO of LKQ, in the role since 2024. The first chief executive was Joseph Holsten, from 1998.
| Name | Role | From | To | Years in role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin L. Jude | President & CEO | 2024 | Present | 2 |
| Dominick Zarcone | CEO | 2017 | 2024 | 7 |
| Robert Wagman | CEO | 2012 | 2017 | 5 |
| Donald Flynn | Founder & Chairman | 1998 | Present | 28 |
| Joseph Holsten | CEO | 1998 | 2012 | 14 |
LKQ Corporation, headquartered in Antioch, Tennessee, sells the parts that repair shops use instead of new factory components. In North America it buys total-loss vehicles at salvage auctions, dismantles them and resells tested recycled parts, alongside aftermarket collision parts, paint and remanufactured engines. In Europe it is a wholesale distributor of mechanical parts to independent garages through brands such as Euro Car Parts, Stahlgruber, Rhiag and Fource. A third segment, Specialty, distributes RV, marine, truck and performance accessories. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
President & CEO
2024 – Present
2 years (current)
Became CEO on July 1, 2024 after leading North American wholesale and serving as COO. Pursued cost reductions, sold the Self Service segment in 2025 and put Specialty up for sale before the board launched a company-wide strategic review in January 2026.
Leading LKQ through flat demand, the German ERP disruption and a review that could end in a sale.
CEO
2017 – 2024
7 years
Acquired Stahlgruber (2018) and Uni-Select (2023), launched the 1 LKQ Europe integration program, sold PGW in 2022 and started share repurchases and dividends.
Shifted LKQ toward integration, margin improvement and capital returns.
CEO
2012 – 2017
5 years
Wagman executed a massive, highly aggressive acquisition spree across Europe, buying up highly fragmented, local auto parts distributors to establish LKQ as the absolute dominant player on the continent.
Serving as CEO from 2011 to 2017, he transformed LKQ from a primarily North American salvage operator into a massive global behemoth in alternative collision and mechanical parts.
Founder & Chairman
1998 – Present
28 years (current)
Founded LKQ in 1998 by combining salvage businesses in several states, using the consolidation approach he had seen at Waste Management.
Set the roll-up strategy that turned independent salvage yards into a national recycled-parts network.
CEO
1998 – 2012
14 years
Led LKQ through its 2003 IPO, the 2007 Keystone Automotive Industries acquisition and the 2011 entry into Europe with Euro Car Parts.
Expanded LKQ from recycled parts into aftermarket collision parts and international distribution.
LKQ faces several pressures at once. Repairable insurance claims fell in 2024-2025 as higher premiums and deductibles pushed drivers to skip claims, hurting North American collision volumes. Europe is weighed down by weak demand in the UK and Benelux and by the 2026 ERP implementation in Germany, which disrupted Q2 2026 results and led to a lower 2026 outlook. Leverage reached 2.8x EBITDA at June 30, 2026 with $4.0 billion of debt. Scrap and precious-metal prices make 'other' revenue volatile, and the ongoing strategic review creates uncertainty for employees, customers and suppliers.
Joseph Holsten (1998-2012), Robert Wagman (2012-2017), Dominick Zarcone (2017-2024) and Justin L. Jude (since July 2024).
Jude joined LKQ in 2004, led its North American wholesale business and became COO in January 2024 before becoming CEO in July 2024.
Rick Galloway is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Restoring growth and margins in Europe after the 2026 German ERP disruption while the board runs a strategic review that could result in a sale.
Justin Jude serves as CEO, officially succeeding Dominick Zarcone in 2024. Jude is a massive company veteran, having previously run LKQ's core North American wholesale operations. His absolute primary mandate is fully integrating the massive, multi-billion dollar European acquisitions (like Uni-Select) while strictly managing overhead costs during periods of high automotive inflation.
Compare executive leadership tenures and strategic transitions
Explore LKQ
Core profile pages, founders and related research hubs for this company.