Apple’s Board of Directors today announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Tim Cook, previously Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, as the company’s new CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board and Cook will join the Board, effective immediately.
“Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple’s Board, in the press release. “Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.”
“The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO,” added Levinson. “Tim’s 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance, and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does.”
Jobs submitted his resignation to the Board today and strongly recommended that the Board implement its succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO.
As COO, Cook was previously responsible for all of the company’s worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple’s supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also headed Apple’s Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace.
Source: Apple Inc.
Steve Jobs’ letter to the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, 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 sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
Steve
MacDailyNews Take: The end of an astonishing era and the beginning of a new one.
Thank you, Mr. Jobs for everything you have done in an amazing, legendary career. What you have engineered will go down in history as one of the greatest success stories of all time.
Good luck to Mr. Jobs, Chairman of the Board, and to Mr. Cook, Apple Inc.’s new CEO!
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Thanks Steve.
In his letter of resignation he had this to say
“To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple”s CEO, 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 sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple”s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.” (www.msnbc,com)
The fact that he cannot meet his duties and expectations as he said is not very encouraging as far as his health is concerned.
Yes, because asking to be elected Chairman of the Board clearly means that his health is totally screwed and he’s dying.
*sarcastic applause*
I’ve got a feeling that a lot of people will be very carefully ignoring that in order to declare his days numbered.
Tim as CEO is what he’s been doing for awhile now.
Steve working in the background is what he’s been doing for awhile now.
This just makes it official.
I hope Steve’s health is okay.
Apple will still kick ass! I hope Steve is OK.
Wonder if they will stop after-hours trading now.
it was obvious when he presented the release of Lion and iCloud that he was on his last legs. He could barely walk across the stage.
I have a lot of issues with Jobs’ policies, but was truly inspired while saddened to by his determination and struggles.
The mark made by his creations and vision will outlast anything else most others can even dream of.
Hope he enjoys his last days with family and friends.
“Hope he enjoys his last days with family and friends.”
Yeah, when he’s not too busy working as Chairman of the Board. See? Already it gets ignored.
(and I should have scrolled the comments down further and read this before making my previous one, but, eh. lazy.)
I think I’ll have to just read the rest of this thread because if I keep commenting, I’m pretty sure I’ll find myself writing “DEAD MEN WALKING AREN’T APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD” 50 more times.
In other news, DigiTimes reported that the Korean government has hired Steve Jobs to head Korea’s development of new smartphone OS, code named “NoKia”.
It been a blast! Good luck and good health in your future endeavors Mr. Job.
Thanks for all the amazing products Steve, wish you all the very best for the future.
It’s okay – I don’t feel compelled to sell my Apple stuff and run out for Android, Windows 7, Playbook, Linksys, or anything else.
Bloomberg news (Bloomberg Wrst Show) is covering it now live and have extended the 1 hr show.
I hope Tim Cook gets a bigger salary than Jobs did.
What Apple needs now is to get behind Tim Cook. He can be an Awesome CEO. There’s plenty of creativity to come, a balance between perfection and simplicity.
Congratulations TC, and may SteveJ remain COB for a long time to come.
A historic event.
Jobs vision is and will be a beacon for many future CEOs.
What an interesting and deeply influential life has Jobs lived so far
Best wishes to Tim Cook !
I really trust the whole Apple Team.
Thanks for everything, Steve.
Two earthquakes in two days to too much!
I’d give all of my Apple stock if that meant Steve would get better. And than some. What an inspiring person. One of the few people that still gives USA a good name.
WOW!!! Did not see that coming. Thought it would happen sooner or later. Later actualy though. My problem with Tim Cook is that he was responsible with moving all of Apple’s manufacturing overseas, mainly China. Apple should move some manufacturing back to the U.S.A. Because Apple sells world wide it should have a portion made where it is sold. All manufacturing should not be over seas though. I will still buy Apple products because I like them.
Thank you, Steve Jobs. To say you changed the world would be an extreme understatement.
Best wishes, Tim Cook…
“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.”
– Basho
A moment i won’t forget. Thanks Steve. You are indeed the man! I have faith that Tim will carry the torch well. You are an inspiration to a new era of Mac lovers worldwide. Be well. Congrats on a job well done. Thank You.
“I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.” Steve Jobs
As do I; thanks for everything, Steve.
Although I hope for the best for SJ, this and the upcoming Bio look like a public goodbye.
Steve, please be alright. My best wishes and meditations are with you.
God bless you and your family !!! It’s a sad day but we will always love you your company and your products !!
Steve, I only wish I had the words to say how much you and Apple have meant to me since the beginning. I wish you and your family the best of health and happiness. Please continue to help your company and by doing this continue to help us. Thank You.
Thank you for everything Steve! Our family wishes you nothing but best. Your work has brought many smiles to our household over the past decades. Onward and upward!