Season 4 - Ep. 13 | Waste In, Shareholder Value Out: A Conversation with WM President and CEO Jim Fish

Not many CEOs would roll up their sleeves and ride on the back of a waste truck at 2am once a week for seven years. But for today’s guest, it was the best way to get to know his employees and learn first-hand what impacts their productivity in the field.

In this episode, Waste Management President and CEO Jim Fish joins Simon and guest host Emma Combe – host of Redefiners’ sister podcast, Leadership Lounge – to dig into what it takes to run a $20 billion company working on the frontlines of sustainability. Jim shares his insights into the importance of putting people first and creating sustainable value through all phases of the waste cycle – from recycling and composting to producing renewable natural gas as a byproduct from landfills to running his waste fleet on natural gas. He also talks about his views on CEOs weighing in on social topics and the delicate balance leaders need to strike between having a personal opinion and the broader responsibility to shareholders.

We'll also hear from Justus O’ Brien, a Managing Director in our Stamford office, who will outline what it takes to transition from the CFO role to the top seat.

Jim Fish
President and CEO of WM

James (Jim) Fish, Jr. is President and Chief Executive Officer for WM. He is also a member of the Board of Directors.

Jim joined WM in 2001 and was named CEO in November 2016. Prior to becoming CEO, Jim was the Company's CFO from 2012-2016 and was named President in July 2016. Over the last 20 years, he has held several key positions with the Company, including Senior Vice President for the Company's Eastern Group, Area Vice President for Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Market Area General Manager for Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Vice President of Price Management and Director of Financial Planning and Analysis.

Before joining WM, Fish held finance and revenue management positions at Westex, a Yellow-Roadway subsidiary; Trans World Airlines; and America West Airlines. He began his professional career at KPMG Peat Marwick.

Fish earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Arizona State University and an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago. He is also a certified public accountant.