Tim Cook, formerly Apple's chief operating officer, has been named CEO in the wake of Steve Jobs's resignation.
Jobs's decision to step down from his position as chief executive came after he announced in January that he was taking a leave of absence for health reasons.
"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," Jobs wrote in his resignation letter.
In the letter, Jobs recommends that Cook assume the CEO position.
Cook has previously filled Jobs' shoes, notably filling in for him while he was on medical leave this year and in 2009. However, this is the first time Cook has officially stepped into the CEO position.
BACKGROUND:
Cook, 50, who was named COO in 2005, joined Apple in 1998 as senior vice president of Operations. Prior to his work at Apple, Cook worked in operations at Compaq and spent 12 years at IBM. Born in Alabama, he graduated with an M.B.A. from Duke University and studied engineering at Auburn University.
According to Apple, as COO Cook "is responsible for all of 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. Cook also heads Apple's Macintosh division and plays a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace."