Meet Timothy D. Cook, New Apple CEO

25 Jan 2011 | News | Ali Gorelova on Google+

Yesterday we mentioned that Timothy D. Cook is new chief operating officer in iCompany while hist boss, Steve Jobs, takes a health vacation.

Who is Mr. Cook? People who used to accompany him say he is absolutely relentless. While others get exhausted after a long flight, Tim is ready to jump to the next slide.

No wonder, he is running all day-to-day operations in Apple’s company at Jobs’ absence. This is the third time he is doing this. And his previous attempts in 2004 and 2007 were successful, even though they were brief. Surely, in case Steve Jobs’ health doesn’t get better, Tim Cook could permanently replace him.

Both Tim and Steve are known for their relentlessness. But these two men are opposites on other levels. For example, Mr. Cook speaks softly and is very polite. Maybe it’s because he was raised in a small Alabama town.

People describe Mr. Cook as a Southern gentleman, and you might remember that Steve Jobs is prone to outbursts.

The new Apple CEO is obsessed over less fascinating details of Apple’s operations, and not over products like Mr. Jobs.

Still their complementary skills led company to the most valuable tech company in the world.

Mr. Cook’s job is to make sure Apple can produce and ship its products. He will lack the creativity Mr. Jobs has, but it was he who helped company to parlay the iPad, for example, into a business and bring in $9.6 billion.

Tim Cook has a degree in industrial engineering from Auburn University. He is described as a quiet and very intense individual by his professors.

He used to work for I.B.M and Compaq that he left for Apple in 1997. He recollected that he wanted to join Apple not more than 5 minutes after his interview with Steve Jobs started.

Mr. Cook is 50 years old. He is single and he rarely socializes with his colleagues. His main hobby is company, but he also has other passion outside of the company. It’s Auburn football.

Mr. Cook also like to hike and exercise.

Equilar Company reported that Apple brought Tim Cook $156.2 million. This number includes his salary, bonuses and gains from stock awards.