The End of an Era at WM as CEO Jim Fish Announces His Retirement
Jim Fish, the chief executive officer of WM who guided the environmental services giant through a decade of rapid expansion and cultural transformation, has notified the board of his plan to retire. According to announcements released by the company, Fish will step down from his executive post and resign from the Board of Directors following more than 25 years of service with the organization, including nearly ten years at the helm.
In a transition that reflects years of deliberate organizational planning, WM’s Board of Directors has named company President John Morris as the next Chief Executive Officer. Morris, a veteran of the waste and environmental solutions industry with over three decades of experience, will officially assume the CEO title and join the board on January 4, 2027.
This leadership handoff marks a defining moment for the Houston-based enterprise formerly known as Waste Management. Under Fish’s watch, the company evolved from a traditional haul-and-dispose utility into a sophisticated, technology-driven environmental solutions provider.
A Decade of Transformative Growth and Multi-Billion Dollar Deals
When Jim Fish took over the CEO chair in November 2016—having previously served as chief financial officer from 2012 to 2016—he inherited a stable market leader that was ripe for modernization. Over the next ten years, Fish spearheaded a series of strategic acquisitions and capital investments that fundamentally altered the company’s market position.
Most notably, under Fish’s leadership, WM’s annual revenue nearly doubled, reaching $25.2 billion in 2025. This top-line surge was fueled by corporate consolidation, highlighted by the $4.6 billion acquisition of Advanced Disposal in 2020 and the $7.2 billion acquisition of Stericycle in 2024. Alongside these acquisitions, Fish prioritized heavy capital expenditures in circularity, pledging to deploy $1.6 billion through the end of 2026 to modernize recycling infrastructure across North America.
Recent milestones of this infrastructure push include the opening of a $110 million recycling and hauling site in Colorado, a new recycling facility in Ontario, a $60 million plant in Indianapolis, and a $20 million upgrade to a Southern California facility. Kathleen Mazzarella, chair of WM’s Board of Directors, praised Fish’s legacy, noting according to WM Investor Relations that his philosophy always prioritized people, knowing that taking care of employees ultimately drives customer satisfaction and business success.
John Morris Steps In to Guide the Next Chapter of Automation and Scale
The man stepping into the CEO role is already a familiar architect of WM’s daily operations. John Morris brings more than 30 years of industry expertise, having spent over two decades climbing through the ranks at WM. Prior to his appointment as president, Morris held key leadership positions including Market Area General Manager of New York City, Area Vice President of the Greater Mid-Atlantic Area, Chief Strategy Officer, Senior Vice President of Field Operations, and Chief Operating Officer.
Since being named president, Morris has overseen all field operations and led the company’s integration of technology and automation across its extensive service delivery network. Earlier, WM named Tara Hemmer chief operating officer, a role in which she assumed direct responsibility for the company’s operating platform and sustainability businesses.
Morris emphasized his commitment to building upon the company’s foundational focus on safety, service, and operational excellence while expanding long-term growth and technological capabilities.
Looking Ahead to 2027 and Beyond
With the transition timeline officially set for January 2027, WM has provided investors and municipal partners with ample runway to digest the executive shift. Jim Fish leaves behind a modernized enterprise with a footprint deeply entrenched in sustainable waste solutions, medical waste management via Stericycle, and automated recycling plants.
As John Morris prepares to take command of North America’s leading environmental solutions provider, the focus shifts to executing the multi-billion-dollar modernization strategy already underway. Share your thoughts below.
