Apple Appoints Arthur Levinson to Replace Steve Jobs as Chairman
Arthur D. Levinson has some mighty big shoes to fill. That's because Apple this week named him as the company's non-executive Chairman of the Board, a spot that was previously held by the late Steve Jobs. So who exactly is this guy and what does he bring to the table board?
"Art has made enormous contributions to Apple since he joined the board in 2000," said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. "He has been our longest serving co-lead director, and his insight and leadership are incredibly valuable to Apple, our employees and our shareholders."
Levinson up to this point has been a co-lead director of Apple's board since 2005 and has served on all three board committees -- audit and finance, nominating and corporate governance, and compensation. Apple says he will continue to serve on the audit committee.
Art Levinson on the left, Robert Iger on the right.
In addition to naming Levinson as Chairman of the Board, Apple also announced that Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Office of the The Walt Disney Company, will join Apple's board and serve with Levinson on the audit committee.
"Bob and I have gotten to know one another very well over the past few years and on behalf of the entire board, we think he is going to make an extraordinary addition to our already very strong board," said Tim Cook. "His strategic vision for Disney is based on three fundamentals: generating the best creative content possible, fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology, and expanding into new markets around the world which makes him a great fit for Apple."
It will be interesting to see how Levinson interacts with Google in his new position, if at all. Under the leadership of Steve Jobs, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt resigned from Apple's board as competition between the companies ramped up. Levinson then resigned from Google's board two months later.
"Art has made enormous contributions to Apple since he joined the board in 2000," said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. "He has been our longest serving co-lead director, and his insight and leadership are incredibly valuable to Apple, our employees and our shareholders."
Levinson up to this point has been a co-lead director of Apple's board since 2005 and has served on all three board committees -- audit and finance, nominating and corporate governance, and compensation. Apple says he will continue to serve on the audit committee.
Art Levinson on the left, Robert Iger on the right.
In addition to naming Levinson as Chairman of the Board, Apple also announced that Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Office of the The Walt Disney Company, will join Apple's board and serve with Levinson on the audit committee.
"Bob and I have gotten to know one another very well over the past few years and on behalf of the entire board, we think he is going to make an extraordinary addition to our already very strong board," said Tim Cook. "His strategic vision for Disney is based on three fundamentals: generating the best creative content possible, fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology, and expanding into new markets around the world which makes him a great fit for Apple."
It will be interesting to see how Levinson interacts with Google in his new position, if at all. Under the leadership of Steve Jobs, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt resigned from Apple's board as competition between the companies ramped up. Levinson then resigned from Google's board two months later.
