Waste Management, Inc. filed a Form 8-K with the SEC on August 26, 2026, disclosing that Chief Executive Officer James C. Fish, Jr. notified the Board of Directors on August 24, 2026 of his intention to retire as CEO and resign from the Board, effective January 4, 2027, with John J. Morris, Jr. named as his successor.

Key Highlights

  • CEO retirement announced: James C. Fish, Jr. will retire as CEO and resign from the Board effective January 4, 2027, after more than 25 years with the company.
  • Successor named: John J. Morris, Jr., currently serving as President, was appointed President and CEO and elected to the Board, effective the same Transition Date.
  • Advisory role planned: The company anticipates Mr. Fish will continue in an advisory role until mid-February 2027.
  • Morris background: Mr. Morris, age 57, has served as President since May 2025 and previously as President and Chief Operating Officer from May 2025 to May 2026.
  • Board term: Mr. Morris's director term will expire at the company's 2027 annual meeting of stockholders.

Waste Management Announces CEO Succession and Board Transition

According to the filing, James C. Fish, Jr. informed the Board on August 24, 2026 of his plan to retire from the CEO position and resign from the Board on January 4, 2027, described in the filing as the "Transition Date." The filing notes he served "more than a decade" in those roles and "more than 25 years with the Company." The company disclosed it anticipates Mr. Fish will remain in an advisory capacity until mid-February 2027.

The Board appointed John J. Morris, Jr. to succeed Mr. Fish as President and CEO and elected him as a Board member, both effective as of the Transition Date, according to the filing. The filing states that Mr. Morris's appointment was made "in continuation of the Company's succession planning process." Mr. Morris, age 57, has held the title of President since May 2025. He previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer from May 2025 to May 2026, and as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from January 2019 to May 2025, the filing disclosed.

The filing further states that Mr. Morris "was not appointed as CEO or elected as a member of the Board pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between him and any other person," and that he has no family relationship with any director or executive officer of the company. A press release announcing the executive transition was furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to the report. Common Stock of Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WM.

What Was Disclosed

Waste Management disclosed the retirement of CEO James C. Fish, Jr., effective January 4, 2027, and the appointment of President John J. Morris, Jr. as his successor in both the CEO role and as a Board member, effective the same date.