In early 2005, the company launched a strategic initiative that included addressing issues critical to success. The senior vice president of employee and customer engagement position was created to further the achievement of this plan and to help differentiate the company among its competitors, according to a release from WM.
"As a part of creating sustainable, industry leading growth, we will make customer focus a core competency," Steiner says. "And we know through studies that being a customer-centric organization creates real increases in shareholder value. We have also learned from benchmarking other successful companies in the service industry that it takes the full attention of every employee to achieve this goal."
Steiner calls Jim an "expert at culture change," adding, "He proved this first at CSX Corp. where he was integral in changing the way employees and management worked together that contributed to the company's success and improved job satisfaction for employees. And during the past five years at our company, he proved it again by solidifying a culture of safety leadership embraced by the entire workforce."
During his tenure at Waste Management, Schultz served as vice president of health and safety. Prior to joining WM, Schultz was VP and chief safety officer at CSX where he led an organizational reinvention team. Schultz also served in various roles with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration, Chicago North and Western Railway, Procter and Gamble Company and the United States Air Force.
Schultz is a 1972 graduate of Arizona State University and received a bachelor's degree in political science. He received a master's degree in public administration from Webster University, Webster Grove, Mo., in 1976.