Cook takes over day to day as CEO Jobs takes medical leave.
Apple said Monday that CEO Steve Jobs is taking a medical leave to focus on his health. He will remain CEO.
As Jobs takes his leave, Tim Cook, chief operating officer will take over Apple's day-to-day operations. In early 2009, Jobs went on a medical leave for six months in early 2009 to have a liver transplant. During that time, Cook filled in and Apple didn’t miss a beat. Jobs is a pancreatic cancer survivor.
Here's what Jobs sent to Apple employees:
Team,
At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.
I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.
I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.
Steve
The news is likely to put Apple succession planning back on the front burner. Earlier this month, a pension fund proposed that Apple become more forthcoming about its succession planing for Jobs, who is a pancreatic cancer survivor. Details of Jobs' latest medical leave were disclosed.
In that proposal, which was detailed in Apple's proxy statement, the Central Laborers Pension Fund in Jacksonville, Ill. argued that Apple do the following:
Apple urged a vote against the proposal.
Jobs' latest medical leave is likely to put the succession planning on the front burner again. Here are a few thoughts since Jobs' health will be a key issue again.
Related: Pondering Apple in a post-Jobs world