LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) (“LKQ” or the “Company”) today
announced the appointment of two new independent directors, Sue
Gove and Michael Powell, to its Board of Directors (the “Board”),
effective immediately, and the formation of a Finance Committee of
the Board. In connection with these enhancements, the Company has
entered into a Cooperation Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Ancora
Catalyst Institutional, LP, Engine Capital, LP and certain of their
affiliates following constructive engagement.
Ms. Gove currently serves as Founder and President of Excelsior
Advisors, LLC, a retail consulting and advisory firm, and is a
tenured senior executive with extensive public company board
expertise, including within the automotive industry at IAA, Inc.
and AutoZone Inc. Mr. Powell brings leadership experience from his
career at Progressive Corporation, one of the largest auto insurers
in North America, where he most recently served as Claims Process
General Manager.
“I am pleased to welcome Sue and Michael to our Board, who bring
executive experience, as well as an understanding of the automotive
industry that complements our Board,” said Guhan Subramanian,
Chairman of LKQ. “LKQ is well positioned to build on the progress
we have made through our focus on operational excellence and taking
action to simplify, integrate and rationalize our business to drive
better returns. We value the constructive engagement that we have
had with Ancora and Engine toward our shared goal of generating
increasing value for LKQ’s shareholders.”
Fredrick D. DiSanto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Ancora, and James Chadwick, President of Ancora Alternatives LLC,
added, “We appreciate the collaboration with LKQ and are confident
that Sue and Michael’s corporate governance and industry experience
will support the Company’s go-forward strategy and drive value for
shareholders.” Arnaud Ajdler, Founder and Portfolio Manager of
Engine Capital, LP, concluded, “LKQ has significant value potential
and with the addition of these new directors, we are confident in
the Company’s ability to execute as the leading provider of
alternative and specialty parts for vehicles.”
LKQ’s newly formed Finance Committee will make recommendations
to the Board on its capital allocation strategy and business
portfolio. The committee will be comprised of three existing LKQ
directors, Andrew Clarke, John Mendel and Xavier Urbain, as well as
Ms. Gove and Mr. Powell. The committee will be chaired by Mr.
Clarke.
The Agreement includes customary standstill, voting and other
provisions. The Agreement will be filed on a Form 8-K with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to
LKQ and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal
counsel. Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher is serving as
strategic communications advisor to LKQ. Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP
is serving as legal counsel to Ancora and Engine Capital. Longacre
Square Partners is serving as strategic communications advisor to
Ancora and Engine Capital.
About Sue Gove
Sue Gove has served as Founder and President of Excelsior
Advisors, LLC, a retail consulting and advisory firm, since 2014.
From 2019 to 2023, Ms. Gove served in several roles at Bed Bath
& Beyond, including as a Board member for her full tenure,
President and Chief Executive Officer from 2022 to 2023, and
Interim Chief Executive Officer in 2022. Prior to that, Ms. Gove
served as a Senior Advisor of Alvarez & Marsal, a global
professional services firm, from 2017 to 2019. She also previously
served as Chief Executive Officer of Vitamin World USA Corporation,
a carve out of NBTY Inc., a retailer of vitamins and nutritional
supplements, from 2015 to 2016. Prior to that, Ms. Gove served as
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Golfsmith
International, a specialty retailer of golf equipment, apparel and
accessories from 2008 to 2012, where she then served as President
and Chief Executive Officer from 2012 to 2014. Prior to these
roles, Ms. Gove began her career at Zale Corporation, America’s
largest specialty jewelry retailer, where she served in numerous
senior leadership positions through 2006, including Vice President
of Operations, Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning,
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer.
Ms. Gove holds a B.B.A in Accounting from the University of
Texas McCombs School of Business.
About Michael S. Powell
Michael Powell is an experienced insurance professional, having
most recently served as Claims Process General Manager of
Progressive Corporation, one of the largest auto insurers in North
America, from 2022 to 2024. Prior to that, Mr. Powell held several
leadership positions during his time at Progressive Corporation,
including as Central Zone Claims General Manager from 2017 to 2022,
Claims Physical Damage Business Leader from 2015 to 2017, Business
Leader of the Claims Training and Project Management Organization
from 2012 to 2015, Claims Senior Process Director from 2003 to
2012, and General Manager in Progressive’s Iowa location from 1999
to 2001.
Mr. Powell holds a B.S. in Business Administration from
Morningside University and an M.B.A. from Drake 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 OE recycled and aftermarket parts, replacement systems,
components, equipment, and services to repair and accessorize
automobiles, trucks, and recreational and performance vehicles.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements and information in this press release that are not
historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are made
pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of such Act.
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, 2023 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.
Contact
Joseph P. BoutrossLKQ CorporationVice President, Investor
Relations(312) 621-2793jpboutross@lkqcorp.com
Media:
Mahmoud Siddig / Joseph SalaJoele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer
Katcher(212) 355-4449
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