Following yesterday’s news that Steve Jobs announced his resignation as Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook has been appointed to succeed Steve Jobs in the position based on Jobs’ own recommendation, but who exactly is Tim Cook? Here’s what you need to know about man who will succeed Steve Jobs.
There’s no doubt about it – Tim Cook has some very large shoes to fill. Cook, who was previously Apple’s COO, has been serving as Apple’s acting CEO since Steve Jobs began his medical leave of absence back in January. As such, Cook is well prepared for what is in store in the coming years as he guide’s Apple to newer and even greater things.
Tim Cook has a proven track record at Apple. Besides overseeing CEO operations at Apple since January, Cook has stepped in to oversee the company twice before, once in 2004, and again in 2009 as Jobs struggled with health issues.
As the official CEO, Cook’s main task will simply be to keep on the good work he has already been doing. Tim Cook has been described as low key, and a rather soft-spoken individual. Wired has even described Cook as the “yin to Jobs’ yang.” Although very different in some respects to Steve Jobs, however, he still posses the same sort of unique vision that Steve Jobs used to propel Apple forward from the very beginning.
Tim Cook is 50 years old, holds a degree in industrial engineering from Auburn University, and an MBA from Duke University. Having left Compaq to join Apple in 1998, Cook has steadily risen through the ranks, gaining the trust of Steve Jobs and the Apple board, eventually being named as Chief Operating Officer in 2005. He has been credited with reinventing how Apple approaches inventory supply chains.
When Time Cook oversaw operations at Apple in 2009, Apple’s stock rose a whopping 67 percent, and Steve Jobs personally nominated Cook for a $22 million bonus for his exceptional work in Steve Jobs absence.
Tim Cook seems to have adequately proven his loyalties, as well as his qualification and suitability to successfully run Apple’s day-to-day operations and continue to drive Apple towards growth and financial success. Further, since Tim Cook took over in January, Apple has experienced an unparalleled season of success and growth.
Besides his qualifications, Tim Cook also appears to have the necessary passion for his job, and a strong love and respect from Apple. To quote a line from Cook’s 2010 commencement address from Auburn University, “My most significant discovery so far in my life was the result of one single decision, my decision to join Apple. Working at Apple was never in any plan that I’d outlined for myself, but was without a doubt the best decision that I ever made.”
Above all else, however, perhaps the strongest qualification that Tim Cook possesses is the personal recommendation of Steve Jobs that he be appointed CEO of Apple. Anybody who can gain that sort of a recommendation in the eyes of Steve Jobs, perhaps the singly most revolutionary business legend many of us will ever know, is a remarkable testament in itself that Tim Cook is certainly the man for the job.
You can view Tim Cook’s entire commencement speech below.
