Our Foundation’s Founder

Lloyd B. "Ted" Smith, a fourth-generation member of the founding family, led A. O. Smith Corporation for more than 30 years. In 1944, he joined the company his great-grandfather founded, becoming president in 1951 and chairman and chief executive officer in 1967. During this time, the company greatly diversified its product offerings and expanded globally. 

In 1955, Ted re-established what was then known as the Glenellen Foundation, renaming it the A. O. Smith Foundation. The Foundation's mission was to support qualifying charitable, educational, human services, scientific, literary, cultural, arts and civic organizations located primarily in communities where A. O. Smith had facilities. 

Throughout his life, Ted engaged in numerous civic and community activities in Milwaukee. He and his wife Lucy established a convalescent home for children suffering from tuberculosis. Ted also gave a lot of his time to the Medical College of Wisconsin, heading “Project Merit” to raise $17 million to construct a medical education and research complex. 

He retired from day-to-day operations at A. O. Smith in 1984 and remained a member of its board of directors until 1993. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 87.