Steve Jobs served as Apple’s CEO for 14 years. This week sees the biggest shuffle in Apple’s executive structure since 1997, the changes are reflected in the updated executive bio page on Apple’s website.
Tim Cook the new Chief Executive Officer of Apple has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2007 but he was snapped up by Jobs in 1998 following a short tenure at Compaq as VP of Corporate Materials. Cook is no stranger to the computer industry, outside of his long stint at Apple he has also worked for IBM and Intelligent Electronics.
In an excellent profile of Cook published by CNN in 2008 Adam Lashinsky gives a detailed look at the man who had been predicted to take over from Jobs for several years.
As pointed out by Lashinsky Cook once said that Jobs was “irreplacable” adding that “I see Steve there with gray hair in his 70s, long after I'm retired.”
Famed for keeping Apple’s product inventory the tightest of any electronics company and known as the man behind the deals that cornered entire component markets, like that $1.25 billion purchase of NAND flash in 2005.
Some of Jobs’ features also shine through in Cook, he is regularly sending email at ungodly hours and organises conference calls and meetings at any point in the week, his favourite being Sunday evening. As pointed out in Lashinsky’s extensive bio, Cook is also known to be formidable in meetings and with personnel, with a previous unnamed Apple executive saying that he’s seen Cook “shred people” in particular, “He asks you the questions he knows you can't answer, and he keeps going and going. It isn't funny, and it's not fun.”
Also in true Jobsian style, Cook last year delivered a commencement speech at his alumni university Auburn.
Cook is no stranger to being the CEO of Apple, during 2004 when Steve Jobs was first diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer, Cook served in his place. Since then Cook has stepped in for Jobs twice, the first in 2009, earning him a cool $22 million bonus to say thanks and the second time of course beginning earlier this year.
Cook has big boots to step into but almost 24 hours after the news broke of Jobs’ departure it appears clear that investors, analysts and pundits are fully behind the new CEO and confident that Apple can continue its phenomenal success.
The sensible amongst us know that Steve Jobs was not Apple alone and many hundreds of talented people make up the successful consumer electronics company. That aside Jobs undoubtedly has a knack for understanding a product, his wisdom will for now remain at Apple as he serves on the board and no doubt takes an active role in future product development.
Cook has immediate challenges on his hands though, his previous position of COO needs to be filled quickly, most likely with Jeff Williams, and Ron Johnson Vice President for Retail will depart to be CEO of JC Penny later this year and will also require a speedy replacement.
Consensus across the valley and across the world is that Jobs will be missed as the iconic figurehead of Apple. We haven’t heard the last of Steve Jobs though and with the eminent blessing of Jobs we can all confidently stand behind Tim Cook as he continues to steer Apple.
Below is the first email sent to Apple employees from Tim Cook as Apple’s new CEO:
Team:
I am looking forward to the amazing opportunity of serving as CEO of the most innovative company in the world. Joining Apple was the best decision I’ve ever made and it’s been the privilege of a lifetime to work for Apple and Steve for over 13 years. I share Steve’s optimism for Apple’s bright future.
Steve has been an incredible leader and mentor to me, as well as to the entire executive team and our amazing employees. We are really looking forward to Steve’s ongoing guidance and inspiration as our Chairman.
I want you to be confident that Apple is not going to change. I cherish and celebrate Apple’s unique principles and values. Steve built a company and culture that is unlike any other in the world and we are going to stay true to that—it is in our DNA. We are going to continue to make the best products in the world that delight our customers and make our employees incredibly proud of what they do.
I love Apple and I am looking forward to diving into my new role. All of the incredible support from the Board, the executive team and many of you has been inspiring. I am confident our best years lie ahead of us and that together we will continue to make Apple the magical place that it is.
Tim