Lineup Changes on Apple’s Board of Directors: Al Gore and James Bell Retire; Wanda Austin Joins
Apple Newsroom:
Apple today announced Dr. Wanda Austin, former president and CEO
of The Aerospace Corporation, has been nominated for election to
Apple’s board of directors. Dr. Austin brings decades of science
and technology experience to her role, and she has a significant
track record of advancing innovation and shaping corporate
strategy.
As president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Austin led
an organization dedicated to supporting the U.S. space program and
expanding opportunities for future exploration. She was the first
woman and the first African American to hold the position. […]
The board has a longstanding policy that directors generally may
not stand for reelection after reaching age 75. As a result, Al
Gore, who has served since 2003, and James Bell, who joined in
2015, will both retire from Apple’s board this year.
“We’re deeply grateful to Al and James for their many years of
service to Apple — their insights, energy, and values have made
us a stronger company in so many ways,” said Cook. “For more than
20 years, Al has contributed an incredible amount to our work — from his unconditional support for protecting our users’ privacy,
to his incomparable knowledge of environment and climate issues.”
I strongly suspect that even if Gore had never joined the board, Apple would be a staunchly environmentally-minded company today, but surely Gore pushed them hard in that direction. And I think he was instrumental in Apple’s hiring of Lisa Jackson.
★
Apple Newsroom:
Apple today announced Dr. Wanda Austin, former president and CEO
of The Aerospace Corporation, has been nominated for election to
Apple’s board of directors. Dr. Austin brings decades of science
and technology experience to her role, and she has a significant
track record of advancing innovation and shaping corporate
strategy.
As president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Austin led
an organization dedicated to supporting the U.S. space program and
expanding opportunities for future exploration. She was the first
woman and the first African American to hold the position. […]
The board has a longstanding policy that directors generally may
not stand for reelection after reaching age 75. As a result, Al
Gore, who has served since 2003, and James Bell, who joined in
2015, will both retire from Apple’s board this year.
“We’re deeply grateful to Al and James for their many years of
service to Apple — their insights, energy, and values have made
us a stronger company in so many ways,” said Cook. “For more than
20 years, Al has contributed an incredible amount to our work — from his unconditional support for protecting our users’ privacy,
to his incomparable knowledge of environment and climate issues.”
I strongly suspect that even if Gore had never joined the board, Apple would be a staunchly environmentally-minded company today, but surely Gore pushed them hard in that direction. And I think he was instrumental in Apple’s hiring of Lisa Jackson.