Tim Cook is the chief executive officer of Apple Inc. and one the foremost influential technology executives in the world. Before taking the top job at Apple, Cook worked as the company's chief operating officer under his mentor, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Cook took over as CEO in 2011, shortly before Jobs died of pancreatic cancer. For over a decade, Cook has helped transform the Apple brand, doubling its profits and revenue, as well as increasing its market value to $1.9 trillion.
Cook has worked at Apple for over 23 years years, joining in 1998 as a senior vice president for worldwide operations before being promoted to executive vice president for worldwide sales and operations. Cook was hired personally by Jobs shortly after his initial job interview, and the pair remained closed until Jobs' death in 2011. Before Apple, Cook graduated from Auburn University and received his Master's degree from Duke University in 1988. Cook's first job in the technology sector was at IBM, where he reached the position of director of North American fulfillment.
After 12 years at IBM, Cook left for a job as the chief operating offer of Intelligent Elctrions before leaving for a vice president position at Compaq. His time with Compaq was brief because he left to work for jobs six months later. It was reported in 2011 that Cook was openly gay. He officially came out in 2011, becoming the first chief executive of a Fortune 500 company to identify publicly as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Outside of Apple, Cook serves on the board of Nuke and the National Football Foundation. Moreover, Cook also engages in numerous charitable programs to which he plans to donate the majority of his personal fortune. Cook has met numerous political leaders across the globe, including India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Donald Trump.
