A. O. Smith announced Thursday that Kevin Wheeler will retire as executive chairman on July 1, ending a 30-year career at the water technology company. Stephen Shafer, the current president and CEO, will take over the chairman role while continuing to lead day-to-day operations.
Wheeler will remain on the company’s board of directors to ensure a smooth transition.
Leadership Change Marks End of Three-Decade Run
Wheeler joined A. O. Smith in 1994 as a regional sales manager. He later held several leadership positions before becoming president and CEO in 2018, then chairman in 2020.
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“Kevin’s impact on A. O. Smith spans three decades,” said Chris Mapes, lead director of the board. “During his tenure, the company expanded its global footprint, strengthened its portfolio through multiple acquisitions and successfully handled the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining strong operational performance.”
Shafer Takes Expanded Role
Shafer, who has served as president and CEO since July 2025, will now become the 11th CEO in company history to also serve as chairman.
“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.”
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Before joining A. O. Smith in 2024 as president and chief operating officer, Shafer held leadership roles at 3M Company across multiple business units in both the US and China. Earlier in his career, he worked at McKinsey & Co. and Ford Motor Company.
He also serves on several industry boards, including the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). “As chairman, I will continue leading this outstanding company and team with focus and discipline,” said Shafer. “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.”
For contractors, the transition keeps continuity in place at one of the industry’s largest water heater and boiler manufacturers, as A. O. Smith continues investing in both residential and commercial water technology markets.
