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Written by Lisa Neff, Staff writer
Sep 10, 2011
Tim Cook of Apple – Photo: Courtesy
Tim Cook, ranked No. 1 on Out’s “Power 50” list, is the new CEO at Apple, successor to the company’s charismatic and creative founder Steve Jobs.
Jobs, who has long battled illness, advocated for Cook’s ascension in his resignation letter. “As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple,” wrote Jobs, who will chair Apple’s board of directors.
“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,” Jobs continued.
Cook had been chief operating officer, responsible for 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 filled in for Jobs during prior medical leaves, 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’s board of directors elected Cook to the board and appointed him CEO on Aug. 24, the same day Jobs resigned.
“The board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO,” said Art Levinson, chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple’s board. “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.”
Cook, in a letter to employees, said joining the company was the best decision he ever made.
“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.”
In May, Out published a ranking of the top 50 LGBT power-brokers in the United States, and Cook topped the magazine’s list. “While it is Jobs’ prescience that has kept the Cupertino, Calif., company at the cutting edge of technology, it’s Cook who made sure Apple could deliver as demand rocketed,” Out wrote. “Leader-in-waiting? Most definitely.”
Out was not the first to publicize rumors that Cook, typically described in press profiles as a very private man and a lifelong bachelor, is gay.
And it was not the last.
With Cook’s promotion, a number of blog reports circulated, some questioning why newspaper reports did not identify the new CEO as gay, some maintaining that Cook’s sexual orientation is irrelevant and some arguing that Cook has not come out.
In its coverage, The Atlantic wrote, “Cook is one of those at the high levels who is afraid to publicly confirm his homosexuality. And he won’t be a role model for the LGBT community until he confirms the rumors and comes out of the glass closet he is assumed to be living in.”
