Apple today announced that Susan L. Wagner, founding partner and director of BlackRock, has been elected to Apple’s board of directors. Bill Campbell, the board’s longest-serving member, is retiring after 17 years of service.
Wagner co-founded BlackRock in 1988 and helped it become one of the world’s most successful asset-management companies, holding a range of leadership positions including vice chairman until mid-2012. She continues to serve on the boards of BlackRock and DSP BlackRock (India), as well as Swiss Re, Wellesley College and Hackley School.
“Sue is a pioneer in the financial industry and we are excited to welcome her to Apple’s board of directors,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a statement. “We believe her strong experience, especially in M&A and building a global business across both developed and emerging markets, will be extremely valuable as Apple continues to grow around the world.”
“We conducted an exhaustive search for someone who would further strengthen our board’s breadth of talent and background, and we are delighted to have identified such an outstanding individual,” said Art Levinson, Apple’s chairman, in a statement. “I’m confident that Sue is going to make an important and positive impact on our company.”
“I have always admired Apple for its innovative products and dynamic leadership team, and I’m honored to be joining their board,” said Wagner in a statement. “I have tremendous respect for Tim, Art and the other board members, and I look forward to working with them.”
Wagner graduated with honors from Wellesley College with a BA in English and Economics, and earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago. She has been recognized as one of Fortune Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and honored by the National Council for Research on Women. At BlackRock, she championed and continues to support the Women’s Initiative Network, designed to foster the full potential of women within the company.
Bill Campbell’s relationship with Apple dates back to 1983, when he joined the company as vice president of Marketing. Next to Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Mike Markkula, Campbell is the longest-serving board member in the company’s history.
“Bill’s contributions to Apple are immeasurable and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. On behalf of the board and the entire company, I want to thank him for being a leader, a mentor and a friend,” said Cook. “When Bill joined Apple’s board, the company was on the brink of collapse. He not only helped Apple survive, but he’s led us to a level of success that was simply unimaginable back in 1997.”
“Over the past 17 years, it’s been exciting to watch history unfold as Apple emerged as the premier technology company in the world. Working with Steve and Tim has been a joy,” said Campbell. “The company today is in the best shape that I have seen it, and Tim’s leadership of his strong team will allow Apple to continue to be great going forward.”
Source: Apple Inc.
Apple’s got big plans.
Why not Jerry Jones, owner, GM, and coach of the Dallas Cowboys?
Jerry Jones is a loser…
He’s a cowboy.
I should have added s/ to my suggestion.
And of course, she is wicked smart as Tim Cook says!
“I use all the brains I have and all I can borrow.”
— Woodrow Wilson
This is excellent news. Tim Cook continues to impress. No chaebol will slow him or his company down.
Whenever MDN has “Sue” and “Apple” in the headline, I think of something else. I’m glad I was wrong this time. I think this is good news.
Right on ! Tim
While Google hires Brianiacs with dubious business smarts, Appleis creating the dream team of creative and business talent.
As a financial expert, I hope she’s more than a bean counter. Board members need to buy into Apple’s culture of creating great products, and letting the profits flow from that. Not the typical MBA mindset of not caring about a company’s products at all, but rather cutting costs at all cost, even affecting the quality of the product. We’ll see.
“CUPERTINO, California—July 17, 2014—Apple® today announced that Susan L. Wagner, founding partner and director of BlackRock, has been elected to Apple’s board of directors. Bill Campbell, the board’s longest-serving member, is retiring after 17 years of service.”
July !!!
If Ebay continues to pounce it’s ads
on me when I am reading MDN
articles, I will never use them again.