---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000091142-25-000071"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AOS"
cik: "0000091142"
company_name: "SMITH A O CORP"
filed_at: "2025-04-25T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-23T06:33:09.942741+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

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

## Summary
- 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.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000091142-25-000071
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AOS
- cik: 0000091142
- company_name: SMITH A O CORP
- filed_at: 2025-04-25T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114225000071/0000091142-25-000071-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114225000071/aos-20250425.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000091142-25-000071
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000091142-25-000071.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000091142-25-000071.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Kevin J. Wheeler changed role as Executive Chairman at SMITH A O CORP.
  - Action: transitioning
  - Role: Executive Chairman
  source text: Kevin J. Wheeler will be transitioning from Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company to Executive Chairman, effective July 1, 2025.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114225000071/0000091142-25-000071-index.htm
- Executive change
  Stephen M. Shafer was elected as Chief Executive Officer and President at SMITH A O CORP.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer and President
  source text: 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.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114225000071/0000091142-25-000071-index.htm
- Executive change
  Stephen M. Shafer was elected as Board of Directors at SMITH A O CORP.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: Board of Directors
  source text: Mr. Shafer has also been elected to the Board of Directors effective July 1, 2025.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114225000071/0000091142-25-000071-index.htm

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