A. Jayson Adair
Summary
A. Jayson Adair is Copart’s Executive Chairman and CEO, having joined the company in 1989, led it as CEO from 2010 to 2024, and resumed the CEO role on July 31, 2026. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/900075/000119312525249664/d84887ddef14a.htm?utm_source=openai))
Biography
Adair joined Copart at age 19 in 1989 and held operating and sales positions before becoming executive vice president in 1995 and president in 1996. He served as president until 2010, then became CEO in February 2010; he later served as co-CEO from April 2022 to April 2024 and as executive chairman from April 2024 until returning to the CEO role. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/900075/000119312525249664/d84887ddef14a.htm?utm_source=openai)) During his career, Adair helped expand Copart from a U.S. salvage-vehicle auction business into a multinational online remarketing company. Copart credits him with advancing its fully online auction model, expanding the company’s consignor and international footprint, and developing related services such as title processing and vehicle logistics. The board appointed him to resume the CEO position effective July 31, 2026, following Jeffrey Liaw’s departure as CEO and director. ([copart.com](https://www.copart.com/Content/US/EN/About-Copart/Executive-Team?utm_source=openai))
Notable achievements
- Joined Copart in 1989 and progressed through operating, sales, executive vice president, president, and CEO roles. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/900075/000119312525249664/d84887ddef14a.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Helped lead Copart’s transition toward a fully online vehicle-auction model. ([copart.com](https://www.copart.com/Content/US/EN/About-Copart/Executive-Team?utm_source=openai))
- Oversaw the company’s expansion into a multinational vehicle remarketing business serving multiple consignor types and international markets. ([copart.com](https://www.copart.com/Content/US/EN/About-Copart/Executive-Team?utm_source=openai))
- Helped develop adjacent capabilities in title processing, vehicle logistics, and other auto-remarketing services. ([copart.com](https://www.copart.com/Content/US/EN/About-Copart/Executive-Team?utm_source=openai))
- Returned as CEO on July 31, 2026, while retaining the executive-chairman role. ([copart.com](https://www.copart.com/content/us/en/press-releases/copart-ceo-transition?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- Copart faces a gender-discrimination, retaliation, and sexual-harassment lawsuit filed in 2025 by former global human-resources executive Christine Arnold; the allegations are disputed and had not been adjudicated in the sources reviewed. ([financialcontent.com](https://www.financialcontent.com/article/bizwire-2025-4-11-former-copart-inc-global-vice-president-of-hr-brings-suit-for-gender-discrimination?utm_source=openai))
- The lawsuit alleges that senior male executives and company practices contributed to an unequal workplace; the available reporting does not establish personal misconduct by Adair. ([financialcontent.com](https://www.financialcontent.com/article/bizwire-2025-4-11-former-copart-inc-global-vice-president-of-hr-brings-suit-for-gender-discrimination?utm_source=openai))
- Adair’s return to the CEO role followed Jeffrey Liaw’s announced departure in July 2026, but Copart’s public announcement did not provide a detailed explanation for the leadership change. ([copart.com](https://www.copart.com/content/us/en/press-releases/copart-ceo-transition?utm_source=openai))