Ajita G. Rajendra


Ajita G. Rajendra 300

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.