Apple turns: Exit Mitch Mandich

Apple in late September reported it would not meet analysts' predictions for its fiscal fourth quarter and blamed much of the shortfall on disappointing sales of the Power Mac G4 Cube. Matt Sargent, a PC analyst with La Jolla, Calif.-based ARS Inc., said he feels Mandich's departure is probably connected to that news.

"The retirement of Mandich I don't think should surprise anyone," Sargent said. "Apple obviously has a lot of issues at hand. Any company that draws down that much market value in one day is going to have some sort of rebuilding to do internally."

Apple (aapl) refused to specify the date Mandich turned in his resignation. When asked if his retirement was in any way connected to Apple's earnings announcement, the spokesperson commented, "I can't confirm that."

Sargent said Apple's inability to "break out of the mold" of fulfilling a niche market -- particularly in the business sector -- has hurt the company.

"Whoever takes over for Mandich full time has got to figure out how they're ever going to get beyond the long-term that has kept the company afloat."

Mandich will step down at the end of December, Apple told MacCentral. In a news release, Apple said a search for a replacement is underway and that Tim Cook, Apple senior vice president of operations, will assume Mandich's responsibilities until a replacement is named.

"Mitch has been a key member of Apple's senior management team during the past three years, and has led our sales efforts with vigor and integrity," said Steve Jobs, Chief Executive Officer at Apple, in a prepared statement. "Mitch plans to retire and spend more time with his family. We will miss him."

Mandich joined Apple in February 1997 after a stint as vice president of worldwide sales and services at NeXT Software Inc.

For up-to-the-minute Mac news, check out MacCentral.com. Apple Computer Inc. on Monday announced the retirement of Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales Mitch Mandich, a move that some observers suggested was a response to the company's recent earnings warning.

Apple in late September reported it would not meet analysts' predictions for its fiscal fourth quarter and blamed much of the shortfall on disappointing sales of the Power Mac G4 Cube. Matt Sargent, a PC analyst with La Jolla, Calif.-based ARS Inc., said he feels Mandich's departure is probably connected to that news.

"The retirement of Mandich I don't think should surprise anyone," Sargent said. "Apple obviously has a lot of issues at hand. Any company that draws down that much market value in one day is going to have some sort of rebuilding to do internally."

Apple (aapl) refused to specify the date Mandich turned in his resignation. When asked if his retirement was in any way connected to Apple's earnings announcement, the spokesperson commented, "I can't confirm that."

Sargent said Apple's inability to "break out of the mold" of fulfilling a niche market -- particularly in the business sector -- has hurt the company.

"Whoever takes over for Mandich full time has got to figure out how they're ever going to get beyond the long-term that has kept the company afloat."

Mandich will step down at the end of December, Apple told MacCentral. In a news release, Apple said a search for a replacement is underway and that Tim Cook, Apple senior vice president of operations, will assume Mandich's responsibilities until a replacement is named.

"Mitch has been a key member of Apple's senior management team during the past three years, and has led our sales efforts with vigor and integrity," said Steve Jobs, Chief Executive Officer at Apple, in a prepared statement. "Mitch plans to retire and spend more time with his family. We will miss him."

Mandich joined Apple in February 1997 after a stint as vice president of worldwide sales and services at NeXT Software Inc.

For up-to-the-minute Mac news, check out MacCentral.com.