With Steve Jobs' resignation as Apple's CEO on Wednesday, Apple's Board of Directors has immediately named Tim Cook, previously Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, as the company's new chief.
In a letter published on August 24 in which Jobs announced his resignation, he strongly recommended that the Board implement its succession plan and name Tim Cook, who has worked 13 years at the company, as CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board.
Cook has been running day-to-day operations at the company since January when Jobs took a third medical leave from the company after combating a rare form of cancer since 2003 and surviving a liver transplant in 2009.
Under Jobs who co-founded the company in the late 1970s, Apple became the second-most valuable company in the world – after Exxon Mobil Corp. – despite nearly going bankrupt in early 1990s after Jobs was ousted in 1985.
The news of Job's resignation and Cook's appointment on Wednesday has been widely reported by technology and media sites as well as gay ones.
News blog Gawker on Wednesday screamed "Tim Cook: Apple's New CEO and the Most Powerful Gay Man in America" noting that: "He's also gone from being the most powerful gay man in Silicon Valley to the most powerful gay man in the world, bar none."
Although the 50-year-old engineer has notably not publicly spoken about his sexual orientation, he was ranked number one in Out magazine’s Power 50 index in May beating US talk show host Ellen Degeneres and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.
In a press release, the magazine's editor-in-chief, Aaron Hicklin, noted that "it's the first year that the list has been topped by someone from the tech world, in the shape of Apple's COO, Tim Cook, who has helped turn his company into one of the world's most influential." He added: "Here’s a suggestion for how Apple could more constructively challenge the appeal of groups like Exodus: They should send their COO out to schools and universities as an example of a successful gay man running the world’s biggest tech company. Although Tim Cook has chosen to be discreet about his sexuality, just know that Apple’s heir apparent is gay sends a compelling message of the opportunity to thrive in the workplace. That’s a big deal."
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A bit like me - I couldn't care less what his sexuality is, as 'Gay Man Can Have A Big Important Job Too' isn't really news... is it?
I always believe one has to be comfortable with one's sexual orientation. Being comfortable with being "gay" isn't just about sex and "coming out". It's all about living in harmony with everybody out there regardless of race , language or religion.
If more of us were a little like Tim , rather than flaunting sweaty half naked bods at gay pride parades , dancing and grynating in very compromising positions , perhaps the mainstream will take us more seriously . I hope someday , being gay is no different to the rest of the world. LIke being vegetarian , there are restaurants to cater to this group of people too. It's all about image , perception and tolerance.
If more of us can step on into the corporate world and make a mark for ourselves ( without having to hide behind that pink curtain ) I think we have made it there. Good luck to PLU. CHeerio :)
No matter who they are , as long as they can perform and do the job, thats the main.
On the other hand Cooks appointment has nothing to do with the fact that he is gay, he was appointed on the basis of his suitablity for the job where sexuality plays no role
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