A.O. Smith Corp. executive chairman Paul Jones has been named national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the distribution and manufacturing category.
Jones was named a winner in the Midwest earlier this year. The award recognizes leaders who display “innovation, financial success and personal commitment as they create and build world-class businesses.” Jones has helped lead the transformation of the 139-year-old Milwaukee manufacturer into a global water technology company and is co-founder of The Water Council. Jones stepped down as A.O. Smith CEO at the end of last year, with president and chief operating officer Ajita Rajendra becoming president and CEO.