In the last few minutes, news has surfaced on multiple outlets confirming that Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Inc. will be stepping down as CEO of the company he founded with Steve Wozniak, with interim CEO Tim Cook taking the position on a permanent basis. Updated with letter of resignation from Steve Jobs.
This follows Jobs extended leave of absence which he took earlier this year in January and only interrupted to introduce the iPad 2 in March, while then interim CEO Cook was on hand to debut the CDMA iPhone on Verizon in a dedicated media event in New York one month earlier in February. Speculation has run rampant for months regarding the future of Apple Inc. due to Jobs and his lingering health issues following successful treatment for pancreatic cancer and a recent liver transplant, while his current health issues remain undisclosed.
Tim Cook joined Apple in 1998 as the SVP for Worldwide Operations before being installed as interim CEO in 2004 while Jobs underwent cancer treatment. Cook was then promoted to the COO position in 2007, until he was again installed as the interim CEO by the board of directors 2009 for a second leave of absence by Jobs due to a liver transplant and again in January until today, when the position became permanent.
Update: The resignation letter written by Steve Jobs as tendered to the board is available in its entirety below.
To the Apple Board of Directors and 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
