A. O. Smith Corporation announces executive leadership changes in which Executive Chairman Kevin Wheeler will retire effective July 1, 2026. The company says its board of directors elects Stephen Shafer, currently president and chief executive officer, to succeed Wheeler as chairman. The announcement places the change under board action and frames it as a planned transition in leadership roles at the Milwaukee-based water technology company. The sources provided align on the timing of Wheeler’s retirement and Shafer’s appointment as chairman. While the company’s statement identifies Shafer as president and CEO before the change, it does not indicate in the provided excerpts whether his roles will be expanded beyond adding the chairmanship. Seeking Alpha’s coverage is consistent with the succession plan described by PR Newswire, noting that Shafer will succeed Wheeler as chairman. The company’s public announcement is the primary basis for the details included here.