WM (NYSE: WM) announced that its board of directors has appointed Tara Hemmer to the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer, according to a company statement. Hemmer will report to John Morris, the company's president, who had previously been serving as COO.

Hemmer will oversee the company's operating platform while continuing to lead sustainability businesses, including recycling, renewable energy, and advisory services. She has been with WM for 27 years, joining in 1999 and progressing through various leadership roles including senior vice president of field operations and most recently chief sustainability officer.

The company also announced that Rafael Carrasco, senior vice president of enterprise strategy and president of WM Healthcare Solutions, will retire in July after 10 years with the company. Following Carrasco's retirement, the WM Healthcare Solutions business will report directly to Morris.

During Hemmer's tenure as chief sustainability officer over the past five years, WM expanded its asset network to include 14 new renewable natural gas sites and 37 recycling facilities. She holds a bachelor of science degree in civil and environmental engineering from Cornell University.

WM, based in Houston, provides environmental solutions including collection, recycling and disposal services to residential, commercial, industrial, medical and municipal customers throughout the United States and Canada.