James F. Stern

Jim Stern was named executive vice president, corporate development, strategy and secretary in October 2025. He will focus on corporate development and strategy, while also maintaining responsibility for government, industry and regulatory affairs. He will also continue his role as secretary.

Jim joined A. O. Smith Corporation as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary in 2007 after 15 years with Foley & Lardner LLP of Milwaukee where he was a partner, providing legal services and advice for a wide range of public and private companies. Prior to joining Foley & Lardner, Jim was an associate with Latham & Watkins LLP of Chicago from 1989 until 1992. He also served as a law clerk under the Honorable Pasco M. Bowman II, senior judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in Kansas City, Missouri.

Jim currently serves on the board of directors of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI). He is the past president of the Water Quality Association and serves on its board of governors. He also serves as chairman of The Water Council. He previously served as a member of the board of directors of Jason Industries, Inc., the Polar Ware Company and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). He also currently serves on the charitable board for Seton Catholic Schools.

Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University School of Law. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.