About

Pat Ackerman is a board member of MG&E, a NASDAQ-listed public utility based in Madison, WI. She brings her financial expertise to the audit committee and serves on the governance committee. Pat recently retired from the executive team of A.O. Smith, a NYSE- listed manufacturing company, with over thirty years of experience in progressive corporate finance positions including her current position as Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, and Treasurer. She has demonstrated tremendous value to the board and shareholders through her excellent business acumen, foresight and execution. Ms. Ackerman played a key role with the Board of Directors of the company as management representative on the Investment Policy Committee and Disclosure Committee and previously, as management representative on the Audit Committee. With an MBA in Finance and her job experience in audit and finance, she would qualify as an audit committee financial expert.

Board Profile

An experienced, influential C-Suite executive, Pat's strategic experience includes sustainability, strategic planning, business development, enterprise risk management, finance, human resources and global operations. She has long-standing finance experience and qualifies as a financial expert for audit committee service. A. O. Smith operates in the building products industry and distributes in retail, distribution and omni channels, with global operations, concentrated in North America, China and India.

Board Experience

Recently joining the board of MG&E (MGEE), Pat brings her executive financial experience to the audit committee and her corporate governance skills to the governance committee. The regulated public utility provides electricity and natural gas to its wide variety of customers largely located in Wisconsin.

Professional Summary

Retiring in 2022, Pat has been with A.O Smith since 1983. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment, with a global footprint that includes operations in North America, China, India and Europe. As Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, and Treasurer since 2008, Ms. Ackerman has lead investor communications, shareholder outreach, rating agency interactions, treasury and pension investment, and capital market debt financing for this global company. She sets CRS goals and drives improvement for A. O. Smith’s world-wide operations to create shareholder value. Risk management, real estate, and audit functions for the $3 billion company have also been her responsibility, including leading the company’s progress in enterprise risk management, internal and financial controls, and product and plant safety. Ms. Ackerman has also served as the Finance Team Co-lead with the CFO for acquisitions, divestitures and equity offerings and played a key role in the company’s rapid expansion in China and India. In recognition of her many business and community contributions, Ms. Ackerman was recognized in 2012 as a Woman of Influence by the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Recognition & Awards

2012 Woman of Influence, Milwaukee Business Journal

Personal

Ms. Ackerman is married and has two adult sons. An avid runner, Ms. Ackerman runs every morning to "set the day". She enjoys playing golf, cycling, snowshoeing, reading and walking her golden retriever, Lincoln.