The A. O. Smith Company (NYSE: AOS) Board of Administrators introduced that Kevin Wheeler will transition from chairman and chief govt officer to govt chairman of the company, efficient July 1, 2025. At the moment, Stephen Shafer shall be appointed to the Board of Administrators and can assume the position of president and chief govt officer.
Kevin Wheeler Function
As govt chairman, Wheeler will proceed to guide the corporate’s Board of Administrators and stay actively concerned in strategic improvement, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations and govt expertise improvement.
Stephen Shafer Function
Shafer turns into the 11th chief govt officer within the firm’s 151-year historical past. He can have duty for the corporate’s international operations, in addition to technique improvement 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 international enterprise models, together with operations, provide chain, company know-how and knowledge know-how.
“Steve’s broad enterprise expertise, coupled together with his strategic enterprise acumen, uniquely positions him to information A. O. Smith as the corporate continues its journey as a worldwide water know-how chief,” mentioned Wheeler. “For the previous 12 months, Steve has collaborated carefully with me and different enterprise leaders to know our enterprise and establish alternatives to drive enhanced efficiency and continued progress in each gross sales and profitability.”
“A. O. Smith skilled vital progress and worthwhile progress underneath Kevin’s management,” mentioned lead director Ron Brown. “Throughout his tenure, the corporate acquired Big Factories, a Canadian water heater producer, in addition to six water therapy corporations, together with one in India. As chairman, president and chief govt officer throughout the international COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin led the corporate by means of an unprecedented interval, sustaining enterprise continuity whereas prioritizing the well being and security of workers.”
Expertise
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 basic 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 govt officer, Wheeler was chairman, president and chief govt officer from April 2020 to March 2024, and was president and chief govt 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 position 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 Government Advisory Board for WorkBoard Inc., a former board member of Shanghai American Chamber of Commerce and served as a Large Brother Large Sister mentor.
“I’m honored to have the chance to step into the position of chief govt officer and lead this nice firm and distinctive group,” mentioned Shafer. “I look ahead to persevering with to construct on the strong basis at A. O. Smith and ship excellent worth to our shareholders, workers and clients.”
“The board is extraordinarily happy with how effectively Kevin and Steve have labored collectively to make this a easy transition,” mentioned Brown. “As a board, we look ahead to persevering with to assist each of them in creating further worth for our shareholders.”
For extra on A.O. Smith, https://mechanical-hub.com/a-o-smith-celebrates-product-development-center-grand-opening/