Open report — full analysis, no account required.
Sign up to generate reports and read filings that aren't on the open list.
Get notified when AOS files again. Create a free account and we'll email you the moment its next filing is analyzed.
Get filing alertsA. 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 view on EDGAR →
Summary
A. O. Smith announced a planned leadership transition as Executive Chairman Kevin Wheeler retires July 1 after more than three decades with the water technology company. Wheeler, who served as CEO from 2018 to 2025 and chairman since 2020, will remain on the board as a director, providing continuity during the transition. CEO Stephen Shafer will assume the combined chairman and CEO role. Shafer joined A. O.
Smith in 2024 as president and COO, then became CEO in July 2025. The company is consolidating board and management leadership under one executive, a governance structure the company has historically favored—Shafer becomes the 11th CEO to serve as chairman. Lead director Chris Mapes indicated this structure is intended to align strategy with operations and long-term value creation. For shareholders, this represents an orderly succession with Wheeler's continued board presence offering institutional knowledge while Shafer gains full authority over both strategic direction and day-to-day execution.
Section-by-Section Diff
Event · Exhibit 99.1
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a global leader in water technology, announced today that Executive Chairman Kevin Wheeler will retire effective July 1. The company’s board of directors has elected Stephen Shafer, president and chief executive officer (CEO), as chairman upon Wheeler’s retirement. Wheeler will remain a member of the company’s board of directors.
Kevin Wheeler, who has been with A. O. Smith since 1994 and served as CEO from 2018 and chairman from 2020, is retiring as Executive Chairman effective July 1, 2026. He will continue serving as a board member. This represents a planned leadership transition after three decades with the company.
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
Shafer, who has served as president and CEO since July 2025, becomes the 11th CEO to assume the role of chairman in the company’s history. He joined A. O. Smith in 2024 as president and chief operating officer. As chairman, Shafer will lead the board of directors and continue to oversee the company’s global operations, strategic direction, profitability and shareholder return.
Stephen Shafer, who became CEO in July 2025 after joining the company in 2024, will now serve as both Chairman and CEO. This consolidates leadership in a single individual who will lead both the board and day-to-day operations. The company notes this is consistent with its historical practice, as Shafer becomes the 11th CEO to assume the chairman role.
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
“Steve has demonstrated strong, strategic leadership and a deep understanding of our business and growth opportunities,” said Mapes. “His combined role as chairman and CEO will further strengthen alignment across our strategy, operations and long-term value creation.”
Lead director Chris Mapes stated the combined chairman/CEO structure is intended to strengthen alignment between strategy and operations. This governance structure concentrates authority in the CEO role rather than maintaining separation between board leadership and management.
Event · Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation filed; see Key Changes for terms.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
Effective at the time of Mr.Wheeler’s retirement as Executive Chairman, Stephen M. Shafer will assume the role of Chairman of the Company. Mr. Shafer currently serves and will continue to serve as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director.
Stephen Shafer, who has been President and CEO since July 2025, will add the Chairman title when Wheeler retires. This consolidates the Chairman and CEO roles under one executive, a common governance structure that can streamline decision-making.
Thanks — your feedback helps us improve report quality.
Figures/quotes linked to EDGAR · Narrative written by AI · Jun 24, 2026 · How we verify