---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000091142-24-000095"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AOS"
cik: "0000091142"
company_name: "SMITH A O CORP"
filed_at: "2024-03-18T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-04T16:24:23.339983+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# A.O. Smith appoints Stephen Shafer as President and COO effective March 18

## Summary
- Shafer previously led 3M's Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Division and held roles at McKinsey and Ford.
- He will oversee global business units including operations, engineering, and IT.
- Kevin Wheeler continues as Chairman and CEO; Shafer reports to Wheeler.
- Shafer holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.S. from Northwestern University.
- He will relocate from Minneapolis to the Milwaukee area.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000091142-24-000095
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AOS
- cik: 0000091142
- company_name: SMITH A O CORP
- filed_at: 2024-03-18T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114224000095/0000091142-24-000095-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114224000095/aos-20240318.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000091142-24-000095
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000091142-24-000095.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000091142-24-000095.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Kevin J. Wheeler changed role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at SMITH A O CORP.
  - Action: will continue to serve with the title of
  - Role: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Kevin J. Wheeler, who has been serving as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will continue to serve with the title of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114224000095/0000091142-24-000095-index.htm
- Executive change
  Stephen M. Shafer was named as President and Chief Operating Officer at SMITH A O CORP.
  - Action: named
  - Role: President and Chief Operating Officer
  source text: On March 18, 2024, A. O. Smith Corporation (“A. O. Smith”) announced that Stephen M. Shafer has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company effective March 18, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114224000095/0000091142-24-000095-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.