Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple, COO Tim Cook Named as Successor

The Board of Directors of Apple, Inc. announced on Wednesday that Steve Jobs has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.

Time Cook (L) and Steve Jobs (R)

In a resignation letter, Steve Jobs personally recommended Tim Cook, a man known more for his operational expertise than vision, as his successor.



Here’s the full resignation letter sent to the Apple Board of Directors and to you, members of 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

Steve Jobs left no explanation for his exit in the CEO role, but it undoubtedly raised concern regarding his health. We can recall that Jobs was diagnosed of a pancreatic cancer and underwent a liver transplant back in 2009. Just early this year, he took again a medical leave of absence.



As of this writing, Apple stock dipped as much as 5% following Jobs’ resignation.



In a press release sent to the media, Jobs has been elected Chairman of Apple’s Board of Directors, and Cook will join the Board, effective immediately.



The question now is will Apple continue its winning streak under new leadership? Well, according to Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple’s Board:

“The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO. 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.”

Read on the full press release after the break.



Click to Read Press Release

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. “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.



Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

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