Tim Cook, an openly gay man, will helm
Apple after the sudden resignation of tech visionary Steve Jobs.
Jobs, 56, who has battled pancreatic
cancer in the past, notified Apple's board of directors of his
decision on Wednesday.
“I hereby resign as CEO of Apple,”
Jobs wrote. “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.”
The board agreed, quickly elevating
Cook to CEO. Jobs was elected chairman.
“The board has complete confidence
that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO,” Art Levinson, a
board member, said in a statement.
In late 1997, Jobs returned to the
company he co-founded with Steve Wozniak after he was booted from
Apple in 1985. His return marked the start of an era of prosperity
for the tech giant, which had been written off by Wall Street and
most analysts. He revolutionized the industry with the introduction
of the iPod and later shook up the cellular phone market with the
dazzling iPhone.
Cook, a 13-year Apple veteran, in April
was named
America's most influential gay person by glossy Out.