Apple Inc. founder and CEO Steve Jobs sends a note to employees saying he’s taking a medical leave of absence so he can focus on his health. Jobs is a survivor of pancreatic cancer.
Apple, Inc. CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPad in January 2010.
Apple Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs sent an email to Apple employees early Monday with notification that he is taking a medical leave of absence, but will remain CEO and will remain involved in the company’s major strategic decisions.
U.S. stock-index futures declined on Monday with the news. Apple stock fell as much as 7 percent on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Wall Street is closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
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 Jobs
COO Tim Cook was recently the Apple representative present at the Verizon Wireless announcement introducing the Apple iPhone 4 CDMA version.
Steve Jobs has had recurring medical problems since 2004, when he was treated for pancreatic cancer.
Jobs is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Apple. He also previously served as chief executive of Pixar Animation Studio, and became a member of the board of The Walt Disney Company in 2006, following the acquisition of Pixar by Disney. He was credited in the 1995 movie Toy Story as an executive producer.
Steve Jobs commencement address at Stanford University in 2005.