Jim Fish will retire as WM’s CEO and step down from the board, the company announced Wednesday, ending a decade leading North America’s largest waste and recycling company.
WM President John Morris will succeed him, effective Jan. 4, 2027. Morris will also join the board at that time.
Fish joined WM in 2001 and became CEO in November 2016. He previously served as chief financial officer from 2012 to 2016 and earlier held roles including senior vice president of WM’s Eastern Group, area vice president for Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and market area general manager for Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Before joining WM, he worked in finance and revenue management at Westex, Trans World Airlines and America West Airlines and began his career at KPMG Peat Marwick.
Morris has been with the company for more than 30 years, most recently as president and, before that, chief operating officer.
“John is an exceptional leader with a proven track record of delivering results and advancing WM’s strategy,” said board chair Kathleen Mazzarella, in a statement.
Morris was named president in May 2025, taking on responsibility for field operations and oversight of WM’s sustainability, customer experience and enterprise strategy functions. He previously served as market area general manager for New York City, area vice president for the greater mid-Atlantic region, chief strategy officer and senior vice president of field operations. He is a Rutgers University graduate.
“I’m committed to serving our 62,000 associates as we work together to advance WM’s strategy,” Morris said when he was named president last year.
Fish credited Morris with the succession decision. “I have every confidence that WM’s success will continue and grow with John at the helm,” he said.
Morris takes over a company posting steady growth. WM reported second-quarter revenue of $6.68 billion, up 4% year over year, and adjusted operating EBITDA of $2.07 billion, up 5.5%.
On that July earnings call, Morris pointed to WM’s automation buildout as a driver of the segment’s performance.
“By combining AI, automation, and operational data at scale, we’re improving execution, reducing cost, and enhancing the customer experience,” he said.
The company has completed 38 of 39 planned recycling facility upgrades under its $1.4 billion capital program, with the final project slated for 2027.
Fish’s exit is the latest in a string of leadership changes at WM over the past year. Tara Hemmer, a 27-year WM veteran, was named executive vice president and chief operating officer in May 2026, taking over field operations from Morris while continuing to lead the company’s recycling, renewable energy and advisory businesses.
Under Hemmer, WM added 14 new renewable natural gas sites and 37 recycling facilities over the prior five years, according to the company.
“I’m honored to be named as WM’s Chief Operating Officer and continue to build on the company’s reputation as an operational and environmental innovator,” Hemmer said at the time.
WM also replaced its chief financial officer last year.
Devina Rankin, CFO since 2017, announced her retirement in August 2025 after nearly 23 years with the company, transitioning out of the role that November. David Reed, previously WM’s vice president and treasurer, succeeded her.
Fish called Reed “a well-respected leader known for his strategic thinking, discipline, and partnership.”
Houston-based WM is North America’s largest recycler and operates the continent’s largest disposal network and collection fleet. The company handles collection, recycling and disposal services for residential, commercial, industrial, medical and municipal customers across the US and Canada.
