10 A. O. Smith operations leaders
Sam Carver, Sr Vice President - Global Operations at A. O. Smith Corporation, heads this list of A. O. Smith operations leaders, who also include a vice president of operations and several directors of operations. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at A. O. Smith from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Carol Peters
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · A. O. Smith Corporation
Carol Peters has been Director of Operations at A. O. Smith Corporation since May 2006, based in Johnson City, Tennessee, and lists manufacturing, lean manufacturing and continuous improvement as skills. Carol Peters was Quality Assurance Manager at Hayze Lemmerz from 2004 to 2006 and Director Of Continuous Improvement at Aftermarket Technology Corp from 1999 to 2004.
Dan Royston
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Operations · A. O. Smith Corporation
Dan Royston has been Director Of Operations at A. O. Smith Corporation since September 2018, based in McBee, South Carolina, and describes lean implementations using Toyota tools. Dan Royston also lists Director Of Operations there from 2017 to 2018, and was Plant Manager at A. O. Smith from 2016 to 2017 and Distribution Center Manager there from 2011 to 2015.
James R. Gunville
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations North American Water Treatment · A. O. Smith Corporation
James R. Gunville was Director of Operations North American Water Treatment at A. O. Smith Corporation from October 2022 to April 2026, based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. James R. Gunville has been Vice President Operations at Enerpac Tool Group since May 2026, and was Segment Operations Leader at Weasler Engineering and Director Of Operations at Hillrom.
John Forryan, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · A. O. Smith Corporation
John Forryan, MBA has been Director of Operations at A. O. Smith Corporation since April 2024, based in Johnson City, Tennessee, and the profile headline cites manufacturing excellence and global supply chain strategy. John Forryan was Director of Jewelry Operations at Jostens from 2019 to 2024 and Plant Manager there from 2014 to 2019.
Laura Viers
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · A. O. Smith Corporation
Laura Viers has been Director of Operations at A. O. Smith Corporation since April 2024, based in the United States. Laura Viers was Plant Manager at A. O. Smith from 2018 to 2024, Operations Execellence Lead & Controller there in 2018 and Financial Controller there from 2015 to 2018.
Patrick Gill
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Operations · A. O. Smith Corporation
Patrick Gill has been Director Of Operations at A. O. Smith Corporation since April 2021, based in Pleasant View, Tennessee. Patrick Gill was Manufacturing Engineering Manager at A. O. Smith from 2020 to 2021 and Assembly Operations Manager there from 2006 to 2020, and lists productivity, quality and cost improvement among specialties.
Paul Dana
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Vice President Global Manufacturing · A. O. Smith Corporation
Paul Dana was Sr. Vice President Global Manufacturing at A. O. Smith Corporation from January 2015 to February 2022, responsible for manufacturing operations in North America, Asia and Europe and global capital planning, based in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Paul Dana was President APCOM and Vice President Global Engineering at A. O. Smith.
Paul Issa, MBA, ENG
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · A. O. Smith Corporation
Paul Issa, MBA, ENG has been Director of Operations at A. O. Smith Corporation since September 2025, based in the Greater Montreal Metropolitan Area. Paul Issa was Senior Plant Manager Canadian Operations at Ranger Design from 2024 to 2025, General Manager - Canada at MacLean Power Systems from 2022 to 2024 and Plant Manager - Canadian Operations and Commercial at Praxair.
Sam Carver
LinkedInExperience: Sr Vice President - Global Operations · A. O. Smith Corporation
Sam Carver has been Sr Vice President - Global Operations at A. O. Smith Corporation since March 2021, based in Nashville, Tennessee. Sam Carver was Vice President - Manufacturing at A. O. Smith from 2011 to 2021 and Director - Operations there from 2006 to 2011, and was Plant Manager at Rexnord and at Kennametal.
Steve McBrayer
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Operations · A. O. Smith Corporation
Steve McBrayer has been Vice President, Operations at A. O. Smith Corporation since January 2025, with the profile headline Vice President, NAWH Operations, based in Nashville, Tennessee. Steve McBrayer was Vice President - Global Supply Chain at A. O. Smith from 2017 to 2024, Vice President - Supply Chain there from 2015 to 2017 and Vice President - Global Procurement from 2013 to 2015.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's plant, product line and scope, one site or global operations, to the decision you face. Check the dates on each A. O. Smith role to judge how recent their view of the work is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Which operating metrics did you review most often while running A. O. Smith plants?
- 02How did you plan capacity and staffing for the operations you oversaw?
- 03What made an operations change at your plants go smoothly or stall in your experience?
Reaching A. O. Smith operations leaders
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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