WM names new chief operating officer

WM announced that its board of directors has appointed Tara Hemmer to the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO), reporting to John Morris, the company’s president, who had also been serving as COO.

Hemmer will assume responsibility for the company’s operating platform, in addition to continuing to lead the sustainability businesses, including recycling, renewable energy and advisory services.

Hemmer joined WM in 1999 and has progressed through various leadership roles, including senior vice president of field operations, senior vice president of operations, safety and environmental compliance, vice president of disposal operations, area vice president for the Greater Mid-Atlantic Area and, most recently, chief sustainability officer.

The company also announced that Rafael Carrasco, WM’s senior vice president of enterprise strategy and president of the WM Healthcare Solutions business, will be retiring from WM in July. With Rafa’s retirement, the WM Healthcare Solutions business will report directly to John Morris.

Published June 2026