James C. Fish, Jr. is the current CEO of Waste Management, Inc., a position he took on in November 2016 after joining the company back in 2001. His journey in Waste Management saw him rise from the Director of Financial...

James C. Fish, Jr. is the current CEO of Waste Management, Inc., a position he took on in November 2016 after joining the company back in 2001. His journey in Waste Management saw him rise from the Director of Financial Planning to Chief Financial Officer, and then to President. His extensive experience in finance and operations has helped the company grow and improve its stockholder value. In 2023, his total compensation was $14.6 million, which included a $1.4 million salary and over $2.6 million in bonuses based on strong performance metrics like operating income and revenue growth. The company values sustainability, and Fish leads initiatives to promote safe operational practices and long-term shareholder value. His educational background includes a degree in accounting from Arizona State University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Interestingly, he also has a notable stock holding in the company, aligning his interests with those of the shareholders he represents. Fish emphasizes responsible leadership and a commitment to driving growth while also keeping an eye on environmental impact.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Waste Management CEOs

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James C. Fish, Jr.

CEO of Waste Management

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Arizona State University; MBA in finance from the University of Chicago.

Field of Expertise

Finance & Banking - Finance

Sector of Economy

Industrials

Born

June 15, 1966 - 58 years ago

CEO of Waste Management for

8 years 4 months (Nov 2016 - Present)

Previous Experience

Joined Waste Management in 2001; served in various roles including Chief Financial Officer and President.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of James C. Fish, Jr.

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Michael L. Battles

CEO of Clean Harbors

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$900.00K

Bonus

$1.17M

Other

$6.69K

Total Holdings

$17.91M

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Ronald J. Mittelstaedt

Founder and CEO of Waste Connections

2019 Compensation

Stock

$1.20M

Salary

$600.00K

Bonus

$300.00K

Other

$50.00K

Total Holdings

$44.26M

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Jon Vander Ark

CEO of Republic Services

2023 Compensation

Stock

$11.30M

Salary

$1.11M

Bonus

$2.59M

Other

$262.47K

Total Holdings

$12.30M

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Eric W. Gerstenberg

CEO of Clean Harbors

2023 Compensation

Stock

$3.92M

Salary

$831.25K

Bonus

$1.17M

Other

$6.67K

Total Holdings

$12.35M

Holdings

See how much did James C. Fish, Jr. make over time.

James C. Fish, Jr. has a significant stake in Waste Management, Inc., which reflects his commitment to the company's success. His holdings peaked when he was granted substantial performance share units (PSUs) tied to cash flow and total shareholder returns....

James C. Fish, Jr. has a significant stake in Waste Management, Inc., which reflects his commitment to the company's success. His holdings peaked when he was granted substantial performance share units (PSUs) tied to cash flow and total shareholder returns. In 2023, his stock holdings were valued at approximately $23 million after achieving maximum performance results on earlier share awards. These holdings align his financial wellbeing with that of the company’s shareholders. This close connection emphasizes accountability, as he has most of his wealth tied directly to the performance of Waste Management. This alignment encourages him to prioritize long-term growth and sustainability, benefiting all stakeholders involved. His stock options also have a term of 10 years, underscoring his belief in the company's future success.

Mar 18, 2025

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shares

WM @ $225.87

Total Stock Sold

$88.33M

WM

$88.33M

757,203.649 WM shares

What if they kept their stock?

If James C. Fish, Jr. didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra WM757,203.649 shares worth $69.23M.
This is -21.62% and $19.10M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Charitable Transactions

WM

153,592 shares

WM

Recent Charitable Transactions

WM

12,615 shares

WM

Aug 31, 2023

Charity

WM

400 shares

WM

Dec 21, 2022

Charity

WM

15,000 shares

WM

Apr 29, 2022

Charity

WM

15,000 shares

WM

Jul 9, 2021

Charity

WM

76,885 shares

WM

Jun 9, 2021

Charity

WM

17,000 shares

WM

Dec 30, 2020

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of James C. Fish, Jr..

WM

$15.77M

WM at $218.72/share

Jan 30, 2025

Received

WM

$7.40M

WM at $204.43/share

Mar 1, 2024

Sale

WM

$23.48M

WM at $196.85/share

Feb 13, 2024

Received

WM

$1.74M

WM at $182.00/share

Jan 17, 2024

Sale

WM

$1.69M

WM at $177.00/share

Dec 13, 2023

Sale

WM

$1.64M

WM at $172.00/share

Nov 10, 2023

Sale

WM

12,615 shares

WM

Aug 31, 2023

Charity

WM

400 shares

WM

Dec 21, 2022

Charity

WM

400 shares

WM

Dec 21, 2022

Charity

WM

15,000 shares

WM

Apr 29, 2022

Charity

Compensation History

See how much did James C. Fish, Jr. make over time.

In 2023, James C. Fish, Jr. earned a total compensation of $14.6 million as the CEO of Waste Management, Inc. His salary was $1.4 million, and he received a bonus of approximately $2.6 million. This bonus reflected strong performance metrics including operating income and internal revenue growth, which he helped achieve. His compensation package also included stock options and performance share units (PSUs) that are tied to the company’s financial success and sustainability efforts. The company has a clear philosophy to attract and retain talented leaders like Fish by aligning their compensation with long-term shareholder value. Over the years, his compensation has varied significantly based on the company’s achievements, showcasing a strong performance-driven reward system.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$27.77M

Salary

$1.40M

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy is designed to attract, retain, reward, and incentivize talented employees who will lead the company in the successful execution of its strategy. It aligns with the strategy of the company and the creation of stockholder value, while discouraging excessive risk-taking.

Bonus

$2.64M

Board Justification

The annual cash incentive for 2023 was based on performance measures including Operating EBITDA, Income from Operations Margin, and Internal Revenue Growth. The payout was 120.21% of the target, reflecting strong company performance and a 2% increase due to a sustainability scorecard modifier.

Other

$246.84K

Board Justification

Includes 401(k) plan matching contributions, 409A Deferral Plan matching contributions, life insurance premiums, and perquisites such as personal use of company aircraft.

Restricted Stock

$23.48M(119.3K Common Stock)

Board Justification

The vested stock includes performance share units (PSUs) granted in 2021 with a three-year performance period ended December 31, 2023. The company achieved maximum performance criteria, resulting in a 200% payout.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics include Operating EBITDA, Income from Operations Margin, and Internal Revenue Growth, which are used to determine annual cash incentives.

Other Waste Management CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Waste Management

David Steiner

Ex-CEO of Waste Management

January 2004 - November 2016