Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) announced today a 3% increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend for 2021. The company’s board of directors, at its Feb. 15 board meeting, increased the cash dividend payable to an annual rate of $3.26 per share compared with the previous dividend of $3.16 per share. The quarterly cash dividend of $0.815 per share is payable April 1, 2021 to shareholders of record March 5, 2021. GPC has paid a cash dividend every year since going public in 1948, and 2021 marks the 65thconsecutive year of increased dividends paid to shareholders.
GPC also announced that its board of directors has appointed Juliette W. Pryor as a new independent director of the company. Pryor is general counsel and corporate secretary of Albertsons Companies, the second largest grocer in the United States, which operates more than 2,200 stores and includes a network of 22 distribution centers and 20 manufacturing facilities in its operations. At Albertsons Cos., Pryor is responsible for the company’s legal, compliance and government affairs functions. Previously, she served in similar leadership roles at Cox Enterprises, US Foods and e.spire Communications and also was an attorney in private practice with Skadden Arps.
Paul Donahue, chairman and CEO of Genuine Parts Co., stated, “We are pleased to welcome Ms. Pryor as our newest director. Through her 25-year career, Juliette has established herself as a talented executive with deep knowledge in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, audit and public policy. In addition, we look to draw on her considerable experience in areas such as human resources and diversity and inclusion. Juliette’s wealth of expertise in retail, distribution and automotive services combined with her impressive business background make her a valuable addition to our board. We look forward to her contributions as a director of the company.” Â
(Editor’s Note: Ms. Pryor is a perfect example of the type of female professional who is Driving Results -– one of the categories of achievement recognized in our 2021 Women at the Wheel program.)