---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000091142-26-000091"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AOS"
cik: "0000091142"
company_name: "SMITH A O CORP"
filed_at: "2026-06-22T21:01:35+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-22T21:02:32.354006+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Kevin Wheeler retiring as Executive Chairman; CEO Stephen Shafer to become Chairman

## Summary
- Kevin Wheeler retires as Executive Chairman effective July 1, 2026; remains on board.
- Stephen Shafer (President and CEO) appointed Chairman effective same date.
- Shafer joined A. O. Smith in 2024 as President/COO, became CEO July 2025; now adds Chairman role.
- Wheeler's tenure spanned three decades; company expanded globally and navigated COVID-19.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000091142-26-000091
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AOS
- cik: 0000091142
- company_name: SMITH A O CORP
- filed_at: 2026-06-22T21:01:35+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114226000091/0000091142-26-000091-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114226000091/aos-20260622.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000091142-26-000091
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000091142-26-000091.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000091142-26-000091.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Kevin J. Wheeler departed as Executive Chairman at SMITH A O CORP.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: Executive Chairman
  source text: Kevin J. Wheeler will retire as Executive Chairman of the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114226000091/0000091142-26-000091-index.htm
- Executive change
  Stephen M. Shafer was appointed as Chairman at SMITH A O CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chairman
  source text: Stephen M. Shafer will assume the role of Chairman of the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/91142/000009114226000091/0000091142-26-000091-index.htm

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