Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) announced at its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, that shareholders have elected Jean-Jacques Lafont as a new director of the company. In addition, Thomas C. “Tom” Gallagher has retired as a director.

Lafont is the co-founder and executive chairman of Alliance Automotive Group (AAG), a leading European automotive aftermarket distributor and wholly owned subsidiary of the company. Prior to his current role as executive chairman, Lafont was CEO of AAG, which he co-founded in 1989 and continued to lead for 30 years. Lafont also is the non-executive chairman of the supervisory board of a European distributor of building materials and sanitary equipment under private equity ownership. 

Paul Donahue, chairman and CEO of Genuine Parts Co., stated, “We are pleased to welcome Jean-Jacques as our newest director. Jean-Jacques is a talented executive with significant experience in the automotive aftermarket industry. His deep understanding of the sales, operations, finance, strategic planning, and global sourcing aspects of the automotive aftermarket landscape in Europe will be highly beneficial to the strategic planning function of the Board, especially as it relates to the global automotive business.”

In addition, Tom Gallagher, who reached the company’s mandatory retirement age for its directors, did not stand for re-election and has retired as a director. Gallagher served the company for 50 years, including his role as CEO for 12 years. He also was a director for more than 30 years and served as chairman from February 2005 to April 2019. 

Donahue commented, “Tom’s impact on the company has been immeasurable, and he will be dearly missed by all of us in the GPC family. We want to thank Tom for his exemplary leadership and his many contributions to the growth and success of Genuine Parts Company. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”