Seriously ill Apple CEO Steve Jobs resigned - New CEO Tim Cook
Apple's Board of Directors announced today that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer and that the Board has appointed Tim Cook, previously Apple's Chief Operating Officer, as the company's new CEO. Effective immediately, Jobs was elected Chairman of the Board and Cook became a member of the Board.
Steve Jobs submitted his resignation to the Board of Directors today and strongly recommended that the Board implement his succession plan and appoint Tim Cook as CEO. As Jobs wrote in a short letter to the Board of Directors, he can no longer fulfill the tasks and expectations at the top of the company. Apple wrote this in a media communiqué on Thursday.
As COO, Cook was responsible for the company's worldwide sales and operational processes, including the management of Apple's entire supply chain, sales operations, service and support in all markets and countries. He also led Apple's Mac division and played a key role in further developing relationships with strategic resellers and suppliers to ensure flexibility in increasingly demanding markets.
Apple founder Steve Jobs had to leave the company in the 1980s at the insistence of shareholders at the time. When he returned in 1997, Apple was a "virtually bankrupt company with no ideas", as Handelsblatt.com described it. Jobs turned Apple around. Steve's extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and made it the most innovative and valuable technology company in the world, says Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple's Board of Directors. Jobs has made countless contributions to Apple's success and his style has captivated and inspired the company's employees and leadership team. Steve will continue to serve Apple in his new role as Chairman of the Board.
The Supervisory Board has full confidence that Tim is the right person to be the next CEO, adds Levinson. He has already been with Apple for 13 years.
Letter from Steve Jobs
To the Apple Supervisory Board and the Apple community:
I have always said that if the day ever came when I could no longer fulfill my duties and expectations as CEO of Apple, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board deems it possible, as Chairman of the Board, a member of the Board and an employee of Apple.
As for my successor, I strongly recommend that we fulfill our succession plan and appoint Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe that Apple's best and most innovative days are yet to come. And I look forward to seeing and contributing to Apple's success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends in my life at Apple and I thank you all for the many years I have been able to work alongside you.
Steve
