Mr. Shafer became president and chief executive officer of A. O. Smith on July 1, 2025, having served as the company's president and chief operating officer from 2024 to 2025. As chief executive officer he has responsibility for the company's global operations, as well as strategy development and implementation, profitability and shareholder return.
Before joining A. O. Smith he was president of the Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Division of 3M Company from 2020 to 2024, served as 3M's senior vice president and chief strategy officer in 2019, and was president of 3M's Greater China Area and managing director of 3M China from 2016 to 2018.