The A. O. Smith Company (NYSE: AOS) Board of Administrators introduced that Kevin Wheeler will transition from chairman and chief government officer to government chairman of the company, efficient July 1, 2025. At the moment, Stephen Shafer will likely be appointed to the Board of Administrators and can assume the function of president and chief government officer.
As government chairman, Wheeler will proceed to guide the corporate’s Board of Administrators and stay actively concerned in strategic growth, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations and government expertise growth.
Shafer turns into the 11th chief government officer within the firm’s 151-year historical past. He could have duty for the corporate’s world operations, in addition to technique growth and implementation, profitability and shareholder return. Shafer joined A. O. Smith as president and chief working officer in March 2024 to guide the corporate’s world enterprise models, together with operations, provide chain, company expertise and knowledge expertise.
“Steve’s broad enterprise expertise, coupled along with his strategic enterprise acumen, uniquely positions him to information A. O. Smith as the corporate continues its journey as a world water expertise chief,” mentioned Wheeler. “For the previous yr, Steve has collaborated carefully with me and different enterprise leaders to know our enterprise and establish alternatives to drive enhanced efficiency and continued development in each gross sales and profitability.”
“A. O. Smith skilled vital progress and worthwhile development underneath Kevin’s management,” mentioned lead director Ron Brown. “Throughout his tenure, the corporate acquired Large Factories, a Canadian water heater producer, in addition to six water therapy corporations, together with one in India. As chairman, president and chief government officer in the course of the world COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin led the corporate via an unprecedented interval, sustaining enterprise continuity whereas prioritizing the well being and security of staff.”
Wheeler joined A. O. Smith in 1994 as a regional gross sales supervisor for the previous Water Merchandise Firm. Over the course of his 31-year profession with A. O. Smith, he has held quite a few senior management roles, together with vice chairman – worldwide, overseeing all European and Asian water heating operations; senior vice chairman and normal supervisor of the U.S. retail water heater enterprise; and senior vice chairman and president for the North America, India and Europe water heating companies.
Previous to changing into chairman and chief government officer, Wheeler was chairman, president and chief government officer from April 2020 to March 2024, and was president and chief government officer from September 2018 to April 2020. He was named president and chief working officer in June 2017 and elected to the A. O. Smith Board of Administrators in July 2017.
Earlier than A. O. Smith, Shafer labored at 3M Firm from 2010-2024 and held a number of positions with rising ranges of duty in a number of enterprise models within the U.S. and China. His most up-to-date function at 3M was president of the Automotive and Aerospace Options Division. Previous to 3M, he labored for McKinsey & Firm and Ford Motor Firm, holding varied roles specializing in manufacturing, provide chain and operational enchancment.
He’s a member of the Govt Advisory Board for WorkBoard Inc., a former board member of Shanghai American Chamber of Commerce and served as a Massive Brother Massive Sister mentor.
“I’m honored to have the chance to step into the function of chief government officer and lead this nice firm and distinctive staff,” mentioned Shafer. “I look ahead to persevering with to construct on the stable basis at A. O. Smith and ship excellent worth to our shareholders, staff and prospects.”
“The board is extraordinarily happy with how nicely Kevin and Steve have labored collectively to make this a easy transition,” mentioned Brown. “As a board, we look ahead to persevering with to help each of them in creating further worth for our shareholders.”