The A. O. Smith Corporation board of directors has announced Ajita G. Rajendra will transition from chairman and chief executive officer to executive chairman of the corporation, effective September 1, 2018, at which time Kevin J. Wheeler will assume the role of president and chief executive officer. Rajendra will continue to lead the company's board of directors as the executive chairman and will remain involved in the company's strategy development, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, and executive talent development. Currently president and chief operating officer, Wheeler will assume the role of chief executive and have responsibility for the company's global operations, as well as strategy development and implementation, profitability, and shareholder returns.