The options back-dating problems at Apple Computer Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) are getting worse.
First, it was disclosed that Steve Jobs knew about the practice but did not benefit. He also claims he did not understand the accounting implications. He does have an IQ of over 200. Now, US prosecutors have started an investigation and the company's former CFO has resigned from the board.
Of course, in the case of Hewlett-Packard, very few people would have guessed early on the that company's former chairman would be eventually indicted. So, the issue of what will happen at Apple is clearly still open.
If it is discovered that Jobs was more involved in the scandal than the company let on, who would replace him?
Among the candidates:
- Phil Schiller -- He is the long-time head of global product marketing. He has been with the company since 1997 and has been critical in most product launches.
- Tim Cook -- The company's COO. He had a long career at IBM. He also heads the Mac division.
- Tony Fedell -- One of the fathers of the iPod; he has an engineering background. He is a former executive at Philips Electronics.
- William Campbell -- One of Apple's leading directors. He has run a large public software company, Intuit.
- Jerome York -- Although he is over 70, York has experience operating troubled companies. He was CFO of IBM and a member of that company's board. He is also on the GM board.
- Jim Allchin -- Head of platforms and services at Microsoft. He intends to retire with the the launch of Vista. Allchin has an engineering background.
- Sue Decker -- The highly regarded CFO of Yahoo! She has a Wall St. background and now runs several key divisions at Yahoo!
- John Thompson -- The highly-regarded CEO of Symantec, has a background in running a large software company and is well liked on Wall Street.
Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-05-2006 @ 12:53PM
George Lien said...
There must be a typo.
The title should have been Who COULD replace Steve Jobs?
Regards,
George Lien
10-05-2006 @ 1:35PM
tom barta said...
Uhhh--Allchin? So Apple can create products as sucky as MSFT's???!!!
I thing Schmidt would be the choice, but I hope it doesn't come down to AAPL switching CEO's any time soon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Schmidt
10-05-2006 @ 8:46PM
Mr. noitall said...
Who would replace BACKDATER Steve?
Who could replace BACKDATER Steve?
WHO CARES??!!
10-08-2006 @ 9:10AM
Bill Swither said...
There is a reason why apple came back from being almost dead. Steve Jobs made it possible. If he is taken out Apple could potentially go down as well. Investors know that besides having great products Apple's other asset is the CEO. They wouldn't let Jobs go it would not only hurt them, but create more problems for them. Plus at the time this happened as i believe this was legal. Later in 2002 new lwas made this practice of backdating illegal so now everyone is being force to come clean. That's why they have over 100 companies in the same boat as apple.
10-08-2006 @ 10:39AM
Niklas Brunberg said...
What about Jonathan Ive?
10-08-2006 @ 10:41AM
Chris E Boy said...
Jessica Alba. No Contest. Keynotes would so much more interesting...
10-09-2006 @ 1:01AM
Deacon Nikolai said...
The only one the Mac community would embrace would be Phil Schiller or Jonathon Ive. Though I do not know if the later has the skills. The Mac community would probably also embrace Steve "Woz" Wozniak, but I do not see that happening. LOL!
10-09-2006 @ 1:22AM
Oliver said...
Why not Steve Jobs daughter?
10-09-2006 @ 1:24AM
Scott said...
The reason this is an issue is because they did not tell investors that they backdated it, so they basiclaly lied on their results, or possibly lied. This is what the problem is, false SEC filings. The issue, I believe, is not that they backdated them, it's how they disclosed the information (or how they didn't).
10-09-2006 @ 1:28AM
Ross Winn said...
I think that either Schiller or Ive is a much better bet. Two years ago Avie Tevanian, no question, but he apears too wedded to the MACH.
10-09-2006 @ 2:09AM
orp2000 said...
First of all, who said Mr. Jobs has an IQ over 200? Has to be urban myth. If not urban myth, from what non-sensical test did this score come? And by the way IQ tests are essentially meaningless, so quoting this score as if it means something is lame.
Respectfully,
orp
10-09-2006 @ 2:34AM
John said...
Schmidt as a replacement. The same Schmidt from Novell and Sun? thats the worst thing you could do.
10-09-2006 @ 10:59AM
Whiplash said...
Ive? Rediculous. He's a designer, not a businessman. Woz? Even more rediculous. The guy hasn't done squat for the tech world since the Apple II.
No, Jobs will stay regardless. He has to for Apple's continued success. And I'm sure Al Gore is already making calls and pulling strings in the background.
10-09-2006 @ 4:29PM
Tim Knight said...
(chanting)SCHILLER! SCHILLER! SCHILLER! SCHILLER!
10-10-2006 @ 8:07AM
dan said...
If Steve has to go as CEO, they could sell Apple to Disney :)
10-10-2006 @ 3:47PM
Rafe Saltman said...
Douglas, you big joker, putting Allchin on the list! Hahahaaaah!
10-13-2006 @ 8:00AM
phil said...
Really, somebody with enthusiasm like Gary Kawasaki.