Steve Jobs resigned from the Apple’s top position on Wednesday, handing over the management of the company to Tim Cook informed Reuters on Wednesday. Apple founder was appointed to the position of President of the Board of the company.
“I always said that if the day will come that I will not be able to perform my duties as a CEO of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), I will be the first to say it”, Jobs wrote in a letter to the Board and “Apple community”.
His departure from the company management raises many questions about his health and the future of the company.
Job’s struggle with pancreatic cancer, which lasts for many years was the main topic for investors, fans and board of the company. Jobs was on sick leave from January 17, his duties being taken over by Cook, who was COO at the time.
Aged 55, Steve Jobs returned to public attention in March to unveil the latest version of the iPhone and attend the dinner organized by U.S. President Barack Obama for Silicon Valley IT leaders.
“Apple’s board of directors today announced that Steve Jobs resigned as Chief Executive Officer and named Tim Cook, Apple’s previous Chief Operating Officer, as the new CEO. Jobs was elected Chairman of the Board and Cook will join the Board, starting immediately”, reads the press release of Apple.
“The extraordinary vision and leadership skills of Steve saved Apple and guided the company to the position of the most innovative and valuable technology company in the world”, said Art Levinson, Genentech’s president, on behalf of the Board of Apple.
“Steve had many contributions to the success of Apple and his creative abilities have attracted and inspired employees and the executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique intuition, creativity and inspiration”.
“The Board has full confidence that Tim is the right person for the position of CEO”, said Levinson. “Tim’s 13 years with Apple illustrate his extraordinary performance, and he showed a remarkable talent and a healthy of thinking in everything he did”.