An Apple Media Advisory issued today, January 17, disclosed that CEO Steve Jobs has taken another leave of absence Apple, and Tim Cook is now responsible for Apple’s day to day operations. Jobs, who has battled pancreatic cancer, did not indicate a potential return date to the company. Naturally, some investors are concerned — Apple shares plunged in Franfort on the news, The LA Times reported, though U.S. markets are closed for the Martin Luther King Junior holiday.
The Apple media advisory contained Steve Jobs’ email to all Apple employees. It read:
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 [COO] 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 LA Times summed up Jobs’ role at Apple pretty darn effectively, stating:
Jobs is critical to Apple. He is deeply enmeshed in the company’s business, making key product decisions. The chief executive is inextricably linked to the company, credited with reviving its flagging fortunes in 1996 when he returned after a 12-year hiatus. He oversaw hit products such as the iMac and, more recently, the iPod, iPhone and iPad.
The VAR Guy’s peer, David Courbanou, is mulling potential implications for Apple and will share some insights with readers soon.
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I wish him the best of luck in this. He has a tough road ahead.
If there is anything positive here, it is this: You can bet your bottom dollar that
Steve Jobs is doing the best he can to fight this thing and kill it.
He is a tech savvy individual who has all the money in the world.
I hope that, with his resources, he can find a cure for this.
He is a visionary and a true genius. We need him to stick around
and for a long time.
And for those who have negative comments, you should be ashamed.
Steve Jobs has shaken the computer industry and put some creativity
and innovation back. And that’s what users wanted.
And that man is now sick. So, let’s try to be civil and not barbarians.
Chris: Alas, money can’t always buy health. But The VAR Guy also hopes for the best.
-TVG
While it would be wonderful is Steve returned I really don’t think it’s in the cards. Doesn’t matter though as he has done enough to transform technology and Apple. Few people are ever imbued with this type of vision. Market cap and stock price be damned, what’s really important is health and your family. Good luck.