Waste Connections Shifts Leadership, Ronald J. Mittelstaedt Returns as CEO

Waste Connections has announced that Ronald J. Mittelstaedt will be taking over as CEO, effective immediately.

Outgoing CEO Worthing Jackman stepped down from the company's board of directors and withdrew as a nominee for election. In a call following the news, Mittelstaedt told investors the decision to shift leadership was "amicable" and part of longer-term discussions about the solid waste service provider's strategic direction.

"Once again we assure you, there is nothing more to this decision than the board's determination that a change was appropriate to ensure that we have the right leader that is the individual whose skillset and background are best aligned with the demand opportunities in the current environment," he said. "There are no other issues or concerns, financial or otherwise, behind this announcement."

Mittelstaedt thanked Jackman for his dedication to the company over a span of two decades. During Jackman's tenure, Waste Connections experienced a total shareholder return of 5,800 percent. Mittelstaedt noted Jackman's role in taking the company public.

"These last four years, with the pandemic and hyperinflation, have been challenging for leadership in all industries, and Worthing has done a yeoman's job in leading us .through this period," he said.

Further commenting on the future of Waste Connections, Mittelstaedt spoke about the company's focus on exclusive and secondary markets while operating under a decentralized, servant leadership-based culture. 

"Our focus is on our human assets, our employees," he said. "What sets us apart and drive differentiated results is the accountability of our local leaders who have the responsibility to make operating decisions, and what we would argue, is truly a local business. Our culture is the secret sauce that makes Waste Connections unique. It's the why and the how to what our leaders do."

Waste Connection doubled in size since 2016 via its robust acquisition strategy, expanding its workforce to more than 23,000 employees. Mittelstaedt cited a focus on leadership growth and development has a reason for the CEO shift.

"As servant leaders, our most important job is to set up for success for those we have the privilege to lead," he stated. "We need to double down on human capital. develop our greatest assets - our people - and position the next generation to take Waste Connections revenue of $10 billion and more. To support the field, the board is determined that I'm best suited to assume this responsibility."