Paul joined A. O. Smith in January 2004 as President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for all worldwide operations and became Chairman and CEO in January 2006. He was elected to the company's Board of Directors in December 2004. Paul joined A. O. Smith after serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1998 until 2002 of US Can Company, Inc., of Lombard, Ill., a leading provider of containers for personal care, household, paint, and industrial products. From 1989 until 1998, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Greenfield Industries, Inc., of Augusta, Ga., a manufacturer of cutting tools and other material-removal products. In that position, he significantly increased sales and profits and led three successful public stock offerings. During that time, the company made 17 acquisitions in North America, Europe, and Israel. Paul began his career with General Electric Company, spending 19 years in progressively more responsible positions in the Power Systems; Plastics; Drives, Motor and Generator; and Transportation units. Paul is a member of the Federal-Signal Corporation Board of Directors, the Bucyrus Corporation Board of Directors, a member of the Business Roundtable, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Manufacturers' Association for Productivity Improvement (MAPI). He is a graduate of the University of Evansville (Indiana) with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.