Genuine Parts Co. said Monday it named Paul D. Donahue president of the Atlanta-based company's domestic automotive parts division.

Donahue, 52, replaces Larry Samuelson, who retired in May after more than 30 years with the company.

Genuine Parts' automotive division, which operates under the NAPA brand in the United States and Canada, accounts for nearly 50 percent of the company's overall business. The business distributes replacement parts and accessories for autos, trucks, SUVs, farm and other motor vehicles.

Donahue, who was hired in 2003 as an executive vice president of sales and marketing in Genuine Parts' office products division, was president of Sanford North America, a unit of Sandy Springs-based Newell Rubbermaid.

After being promoted to executive vice president of Genuine Parts in 2007, Donahue led many of the automotive unit's operations.

In his new role he reports directly to Tom Gallagher, Genuine Parts' chairman and chief executive.

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