Whist Steve Jobs had stepped down as CEO prior to his death, he still left a void where Apple's chairman of the board should be. Apple has now announced that it will finally fill this spot with co-director, Arthur D. Levinson.
Mr Levinson has sat on the Apple board since 2005 and is the company's longest serving director. He had also been a director on Google's board since 2004, though resigned in 2009 after competition between the two companies had become all too clear. Mr Levinson's distinguished career also saw him as CEO in 1995 and chairman in 1999 of drugs company Genentech, during which time he has won many awards relating to his leadership.
Most interestingly, Mr Levinson began his career for Genentech in 1980 as a research scientist, armed with a PhD in Biochemistry from Princeton, he had gradually worked his way up the corporate ladder. He has co-authored more than 80 scientific articles and has been named as the inventor of 11 US patents.
"Apple is always focused on out-innovating itself through the delivery of truly innovative products that simplify and improve our lives, and that is something I am very proud to be a part of," announced Mr Levison.
We have no doubt that the world will watch the actions of this man and the company he now chairs very closely, expecting great things. Let us hope that Arthur can live up to the outstanding expectations that will no doubt be placed upon him.
