Mapes has been named president of its Electrical Products Company headquartered in Tipp City, OH. Mapes will assume full profit and loss responsibility for Electrical Products, A. O. Smith's largest operating unit with 2003 sales of $824.6 million. Mapes brings unique background and perspective to this position, with global experience both in motor manufacturing and on the supplier side of the electrical market," Paul W. Jones, president and chief operating officer of A. O. Smith Corporation said. Mapes joins A. O. Smith from Regal-Beloit Corporation, Beloit, Wis., where he was president of motor sales and marketing and an officer of the company. Mapes worked at Superior Telecom, Fort Wayne, Ind., a supplier to the electrical, automotive, and electronics market. Mapes also served as vice president-Global OEM Products and vice president/general manager of Essex Group, a position that involved marketing, pricing, manufacturing, and product development for the magnet wire, automotive wire, and electrical insulation businesses. Mapes began his career at General Motors Corporation, Toledo, Ohio in a salaried development program where he held a number of positions in manufacturing management and human resources. Mapes earned a bachelor of science degree in 1985 from Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.