A. O. Smith CEO Kevin Wheeler to become Executive Chairman; Stephen Shafer named CEO effective July 1, 2025

SMITH A O CORP

Kevin Wheeler transitions from Chairman and CEO to Executive Chairman, focusing on strategy, M&A, and investor relations.
Stephen Shafer, currently President and COO, becomes President and CEO and joins the Board of Directors effective July 1.
Shafer joined A. O. Smith in March 2024; previously president of 3M's Automotive & Aerospace Solutions Division.
Wheelers's 31-year tenure included acquisitions of Giant Factories and six water treatment companies.
Shafer will oversee global operations, strategy implementation, profitability, and shareholder return.

item 5.02 item 9.01

Executive movements

Machine-extracted from this filing. Every card cites the SEC source. See all recent executive movements.

Role change

Kevin J. Wheeler

Executive Chairman

AOS · SMITH A O CORP

Effective: 2025-07-01
Filed: April 25, 2025, 7:59 PM ET

Kevin J. Wheeler will be transitioning from Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company to Executive Chairman, effective July 1, 2025.

Role change

Stephen M. Shafer

Chief Executive Officer and President

AOS · SMITH A O CORP

Effective: 2025-07-01
Filed: April 25, 2025, 7:59 PM ET

Stephen M. Shafer, the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, has been elected Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective July 1, 2025, in addition to serving in his capacity as President.

Appointed

Stephen M. Shafer

Board of Directors

AOS · SMITH A O CORP

Effective: 2025-07-01
Filed: April 25, 2025, 7:59 PM ET

Mr. Shafer has also been elected to the Board of Directors effective July 1, 2025.

Key facts

Extracted from this filing and checked against the source text.

Executive change SEC 8-K Item 5.02 confidence 0.95

Kevin J. Wheeler changed role as Executive Chairman at SMITH A O CORP.

Action: transitioning
Role: Executive Chairman

Exact text from the filing

Kevin J. Wheeler will be transitioning from Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company to Executive Chairman, effective July 1, 2025.

View on SEC.gov

Executive change SEC 8-K Item 5.02 confidence 0.95

Stephen M. Shafer was elected as Chief Executive Officer and President at SMITH A O CORP.

Action: elected
Role: Chief Executive Officer and President

Exact text from the filing

Stephen M. Shafer, the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, has been elected Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective July 1, 2025, in addition to serving in his capacity as President.

View on SEC.gov

Executive change SEC 8-K Item 5.02 confidence 0.95

Stephen M. Shafer was elected as Board of Directors at SMITH A O CORP.

Action: elected
Role: Board of Directors

Exact text from the filing

Mr. Shafer has also been elected to the Board of Directors effective July 1, 2025.

View on SEC.gov

SMITH A O CORP filing history →

Source: SEC EDGAR

accession 0000091142-25-000071

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