A. O. Smith (NYSE: AOS) reshapes senior legal and strategy leadership

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

A. O. Smith Corporation reported leadership changes in its senior legal and strategy roles. James F. Stern, currently Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, will become Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Strategy and Secretary effective October 1, 2025, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. On the same date, Paul J. Jones, now Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy, will be promoted to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, also reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. These moves reassign responsibilities between existing executives rather than adding or removing directors or officers.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 5.02, 9.01

2 items

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 28, 2025

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A. O. Smith Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Delaware

1-475

39-0619790

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

11270 West Park Place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(414) 359-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number)

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock (par value $1.00 per share)

AOS

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment

of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On August 28, 2025, A. O. Smith Corporation (the “Company") disclosed that James F. Stern, who is currently Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, will transition to the role of Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Strategy and Secretary, effective October 1, 2025, reporting to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. At that time, Paul J. Jones, who currently serves as the Company’s Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy, will become Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, also reporting to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Item 9.01        Financial Statements and Exhibits

The following exhibit is being filed herewith:

104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded with the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

Date: August 28, 2025

By:

/s/James F. Stern

James F. Stern

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

FAQ

What executive changes did AOS disclose in this 8-K filing?

A. O. Smith Corporation disclosed that James F. Stern will move from Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Strategy and Secretary, and Paul J. Jones will become Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer.

When will the leadership changes at A. O. Smith (AOS) take effect?

The new roles for James F. Stern and Paul J. Jones will take effect on October 1, 2025.

What will be James F. Stern’s new role at A. O. Smith (AOS)?

James F. Stern will serve as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Strategy and Secretary, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.

What position will Paul J. Jones assume at A. O. Smith (AOS)?

Paul J. Jones will become Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, also reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.

Does the AOS 8-K indicate any executive departures?

The filing describes role changes and promotions for existing executives and does not state that either James F. Stern or Paul J. Jones is leaving the company.

Which SEC item covers these A. O. Smith (AOS) management changes?

The management changes are reported under Item 5.02, which covers departures and appointments of directors and certain officers and compensatory arrangements.