Mr. Rajendra has been a director of our company since 2011. Mr. Rajendra was executive chairman of A. O. Smith from
September 2018 until his retirement in May 2020. He previously served as chairman
and chief executive officer of our company from 2017 to 2018; chairman,
president and chief executive officer from 2014 to 2017; president and chief
executive officer from 2013 to 2014; and president and chief operating officer
from 2011 to 2012. Mr. Rajendra joined A. O. Smith as president of its Water Products Company in
January 2005 and was named an executive vice president of the company in
2006.
Prior to joining the company, he was senior vice president at
Kennametal Inc., a manufacturer of cutting tools from 1998 to 2004. Mr.
Rajendra began his career in 1978 with Corning Incorporated, holding a wide
range of financial, marketing and executive management positions, including
President of the Revere Ware Corporation and global P&L responsibility for
Corning’s Pyrex and Corning Ware businesses and Corning’s retail operations.
Mr. Rajendra serves on the boards of Donaldson Company, Inc. and
The Timken Company. Further,
Mr. Rajendra was a director of Industrial Distribution Group, Inc., from
2007 until its acquisition by Eiger Holdco, LLC, in 2008.