A. O. Smith announced that Executive Chairman Kevin Wheeler will retire from the role effective July 1. And the company’s board of directors has elected President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Shafer as chairman upon Wheeler’s retirement.
Wheeler will remain a member of A. O. Smith’s board of directors. He has been with the company for three decades, joining A. O. Smith in 1994 as a regional sales manager for the former Water Products Company. He later held several senior leadership roles across the business before becoming president and CEO in 2018 and chairman in 2020.
During Wheeler’s tenure, A. O. Smith expanded its global footprint, strengthened its portfolio through multiple acquisitions, and navigated the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining strong operational performance.
Shafer, who has served as president and CEO since July 2025, joined A. O. Smith in 2024 as president and chief operating officer. As chairman, Shafer will lead the board of directors while continuing to oversee the company’s global operations, strategic direction, profitability, and shareholder return.
Before joining A. O. Smith, Shafer held roles of increasing responsibility at 3M Company across multiple business units in the U.S. and China. Earlier in his career, he worked at McKinsey & Co. and Ford Motor Company.
Shafer also serves on the boards of the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, as well as the Executive Advisory Board for WorkBoard Inc.
A. O. Smith is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based water technology company focused on energy-efficient solutions. The company manufactures residential and commercial water-heating equipment and boilers, as well as water-treatment and water-management products.
KEY QUOTES:
“Kevin’s impact on A. O. Smith spans three decades. During his tenure, the company expanded its global footprint, strengthened its portfolio through multiple acquisitions and successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining strong operational performance.”
“Steve has demonstrated strong, strategic leadership and a deep understanding of our business and growth opportunities. His combined role as chairman and CEO will further strengthen alignment across our strategy, operations and long-term value creation.”
Chris Mapes, Lead Director of A. O. Smith’s Board
“As chairman, I will continue leading this outstanding company and team with focus and discipline. We remain committed to driving innovation, serving our customers and advancing our purpose to find a better way. I would also like to thank Kevin for his leadership and continued support through this transition and look forward to benefiting from his continued guidance as a member of our board going forward.”
Stephen Shafer, President and CEO of A. O. Smith
