Automotive and industrial replacement parts distributor Genuine Parts Company announced it will have a new CEO in June, and acquired the largest independent owner of NAPA Auto Parts stores in the U.S.

Effective June 3, current President and Chief Operating Officer William Stengel will succeed Paul Donahue as President and CEO, and serve as a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Donahue will then transition from Chairman to Executive Chairman.

GPC is the parent company of industrial parts unit Motion, which highly ranks annually on MDM’s Top Distributors Lists. In 2023, Motion was No. 2 for industrial supplies, No. 2 for MRO, No. 1 for power transmission/bearings, No. 3 for fluid power and No. 2 for hose/hose accessories.

As the sixth CEO in the company’s 96-year history, Stengel will lead GPC as it adds Rockford, IL-based Motor Parts & Equipment Corp. (MPEC), the owner of 181 NAPA Auto Parts stores across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. GPC completed the acquisition of the independent owner on April 30.

“We are pleased to announce the completion of this strategic acquisition, which aligns with our initiative to own more NAPA stores in priority markets,” Stengel said in a May 1 news release.

Stengel joined the company in 2019 as Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer with nearly two decades of leadership and professional experience at HD Supply, The Home Depot and various investment banking companies. In 2021, he was promoted to serve as the eighth president in GPC’s history. His role expanded to President and COO in 2023.

GPC Names New Director

On April 30, GPC shareholders elected Charles “Chuck” Stevens to its Board of Directors, to succeed Jenner Wood as Director.

Stevens held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of General Motors Company from 2014 to 2018. Prior to that role, he held a variety of leadership positions within General Motors Company’s finance team.

(Lead Photo: Will Stengel, GPC)