Back to Mobile View

Skip to Content

Tim Cook takes over as Apple CEO

by Michael Rose Aug 24th 2011 at 8:05PM

Amidst the pathos and shock of Steve Jobs' resignation from his post as Apple's CEO (while still retaining his role as chairman of the board), one line from Steve's resignation letter should be ringing exceptionally loudly in the ears of all Apple fans, not to mention Wall Street's decision makers: "As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple."

The most important words in that sentence: succession plan. Apple's corporate leadership has been repeatedly chastised by investors and pundits for the lack of a publicly announced succession structure, given the precarious state of the CEO's health and the critical role of leadership in guiding the company's groundbreaking products.

While any competent observer of Apple's operations would have confidently stated that yes, there was a plan (albeit a closely held one, to prevent executive defections and talent raids by other Silicon Valley giants with deep pockets), and yes, Tim Cook was the heir apparent, still the caviling and caterwauling continued.

Now, given the circumstances, we know that Apple's plan was what most of us assumed it would be: the operations chief who repeatedly stepped into the interim CEO role (in 2004, 2009 and 2011) has been promoted to the top job, and is now responsible for delivering the same exceptional results that the company's founder and chief visionary brought forth over the past decades.

We know that Tim Cook has Apple's best interests (and the interests of its customers) at heart, and we know he has the advantage of many years of service within the inner circle of Apple's leadership. We wish him all good luck & wisdom as he moves into his new role.

Check back with TUAW tomorrow morning for our profile of Cook, including first-hand impressions from former Apple employees.



View Tags

Related Stories

Categories

Apple

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
 

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum Comment Moderation Enabled. Your comment will appear after it is cleared by an editor.

16 Comments

Filter by:
sscutchen

This quote should get broader run…
.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
.
We believe that we’re on the face of the Earth to make great products, and that’s not changing.
.
We’re constantly focusing on innovating.
.
We believe in the simple, not the complex.
.
We believe that we need to own and control the primary technologies behind the products we make, and participate only in markets where we can make a significant contribution.
.
We believe in saying no to thousands of projects so that we can really focus on the few that are truly important and meaningful to us.
.
We believe in deep collaboration and cross-pollination of our groups, which allow us to innovate in a way that others cannot.
.
And frankly, we don’t settle for anything less than excellence in every group in the company, and we have the self-honesty to admit when we’re wrong and the courage to change.
.
And I think, regardless of who is in what job, those values are so embedded in this company that Apple will do extremely well.
.
- Tim Cook, Acting Apple CEO, January 2009 FQ1 2009 Earnings Call

August 25 2011 at 12:06 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
mikehild

I'm sure the plan all along was for Steve to step down and Tim to take his place rather than just having a temporary leave. The whole "medical leave of absence" thing as opposed to outright stepping down then was most likely to give everyone (particularly the investors) a safe opportunity to see what Apple would be like with Tim running it. And they had an extremely good quarter so investor confidence is boosted and it's safe for Steve to "officially" step down.

August 24 2011 at 10:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Shambhavi

I think Tim needs a signature outfit. The Tim version of the black turtleneck and jeans, but something different. What should it be?

August 24 2011 at 10:44 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Taleice Johnson

Steve Jobs was such a household name I remember reading about Jobs when DOS programs were first introduced , Im sure Tim cook is a worthy replacement to carry out daily operations but what about innovation and keeping the branding strategy strong.
http://mobilemedianow.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-jobs-quites-his-job-as-ceo-of.html

August 24 2011 at 10:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ZadocPaet

I've got my money on Apple going back to what it was while Jobs was gone. It has already lost in the OS market, is facing pressure from Google in the smart phone market, and eventually someone will build a better iPod and they'll be lost.

POLL: Now that Steve Jobs has resigned, what do you think will happen to Apple?
Vote: http://www.wepolls.com/p/2073012

August 24 2011 at 9:04 PM Report abuse -4 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to ZadocPaet's comment
Gib

At the time, they were a small company that appealed to a very small user base. Now they dominate multiple product categories in mindshare and revenue. Ain't gonna happen...

August 24 2011 at 9:31 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Gib's comment
TonyV

Never say never. As much as I hope it won't happen, look at Microsoft. Even a company as great as Apple can lose focus and bank on the wrong technology. HP has decided it has veered too far off course and is refocusing. Apple is very forward thinking, but all it takes is the thought that they have arrived at that "forward thought" and stagnate on it. I trust that Apple will rise if they ever fall again. Maybe 20 years from now there will be a new company that's around now that will change how everything is done and we'll care little about Apple...

August 24 2011 at 10:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down
darrell

did you miss the story of how the iPhone 4 & iPhone 3GS are the top two best selling smartphones in the US?

August 24 2011 at 9:34 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
jackqttr225

Please excuse the horrible spelling errors!

August 24 2011 at 8:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Othernet

I think it's much better for Apple as there was so much uncertainties before. And since Apple is firing on all cylibders, what better time for Tim Cook to take over?

August 24 2011 at 8:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jackqttr225

It's hard to deal with the medical demise of anyone who given the news of their eventual demise. Steve Jobs has done more to bring the "computer age" to a level of usefulness or everyone. Just think back 5 yeras and ask yourself the question, "What do I have now that makes my life easier or more fun?" I sincerely hope that Steve gets to enjoy his tome doing what he loves the most.

August 24 2011 at 8:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
GregoryJ

Congratulations, Tim. Best of luck, Steve. Thank you for all you have done for our company...and will continue to do.

Greg

August 24 2011 at 8:34 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
Clay

Tim Cook takes over as Adam's Apple CEO....I mean Apple CEO.

August 24 2011 at 8:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Buy an ad here

Tweets

© 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.