Google CEO joins Apple board

In a somewhat surprising after-hours announcement, Google Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Schmidt was elected to Apple's board of directors at their meeting yesterday. Dr. Schmidt also sits on Google's board of directors and Princeton University's board of trustees.

Eric is obviously doing a terrific job as CEO of Google, and we look forward to his contributions as a member of Apple's board of directors," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Like Apple, Google is very focused on innovation and we think Eric's insights and experience will be very valuable in helping to guide Apple in the years ahead.

Schmidt joined Google from Novell where he was chairman and CEO. Prior to Novell he was CTO at Sun Microsystems, Inc. and a researcher at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC).

"Apple is one of the companies in the world that I most admire," said Eric Schmidt. "I'm really looking forward to working with Steve and Apple's board to help with all of the amazing things Apple is doing."

Dr. Schmidt joins a distinguished board of directors at Apple, including:
Fred D. Anderson
Partner, Elevation Partners
Former CFO, Apple Computer, Inc.
Bill Campbell
Chairman and former CEO, Intuit Corp.
Millard Drexler
Chairman and CEO, J. Crew
Albert Gore Jr.
Former Vice President of the United States
Steve Jobs
CEO, Apple
Arthur D. Levinson, Ph. D.
Chairman and CEO, Genentech
Jerry York
Chairman, President and CEO, Harwinton Capital