David P. Steiner

David Paul Steiner was born on May 4, 1960, in Oakland, California. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1982, pledging Phi Delta Theta, and graduated from the UCLA School of Law in 1987.

Law career (1987–2000)

Steiner was admitted to the State Bar of California in December 1988. He worked as an associate at Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. In 1990, Steiner joined Phelps Dunbar. He specialized in corporate, securities, and mergers and acquisitions law. Steiner was named a partner in February 1995 and subsequently started the firm's pro-bono practice where Steiner said they "help people in need, and need people to help." Steiner married Judy and had three children with her.

Waste Management (2000–2016)

In November 2000, Steiner became deputy general counsel for Waste Management, rejecting a job offer from Enron. In July 2001, he was appointed general counsel and senior vice president, and in April 2003, Steiner was promoted to chief financial officer. He succeeded A. Maurice Myers as chief executive in March 2004. Steiner became president of Waste Management in June 2010. His tenure marked a shift in the company's marketing towards environmental services. Steiner led an offer to acquire Republic Services, the second largest waste disposal company in the United States, in 2008. Steiner resigned as president in July 2016 and as chief executive in November.

Board memberships

Steiner has served on the board of directors of FedEx since 2009 and as its lead independent director since 2013. He has additionally served on the board of TE Connectivity. Steiner joined the boards of Vulcan Materials Company in February 2017 and AMP Robotics in January 2025.