A. O. Smith CEO Stephen Shafer to add Chairman role as Kevin Wheeler retires July 1

Filed June 22, 2026 · Period ending June 22, 2026 · ~1 min read

Key Changes

• medium

  Executive Chairman Kevin Wheeler retires July 1 after 32 years with the company, including CEO tenure from 2018-2025 and chairman from 2020; will remain on the board as a director.

  Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR →
• medium

  CEO Stephen Shafer, who joined in 2024 and became CEO in July 2025, will assume the combined chairman/CEO role, consolidating board and management leadership in one executive.

  Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR →
• low

  Lead director Chris Mapes stated the combined role will strengthen alignment between strategy and operations; Shafer becomes the 11th CEO in company history to serve as chairman.

  Exhibit 99.1 verify on EDGAR →