Apple announced on Thursday that Sue Wagner, founding partner and director of BlackRock (not to be confused with politician Sue Ellen Wagner), has been elected to its board of directors as Bill Campbell retires.
Campbell is the board’s longest-serving member, and has been a part of it for seventeen years.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “Sue is a pioneer in the financial industry and we are excited to welcome her to Apple’s board of directors. We believe her strong experience, especially in M&A and building a global business across both developed and emerging markets, will be extremely valuable as Apple continues to grow around the world.”
Chairman Art Levinson added, “We conducted an exhaustive search for someone who would further strengthen our board’s breadth of talent and background, and we are delighted to have identified such an outstanding individual. I’m confident that Sue is going to make an important and positive impact on our company.”
Wagner co-founded BlackRock in ’88, and held various leadership positions at the company through 2012. She is still on the BlackRock board as well and that of DSP BlackRock in India. She’s also a board member for Swiss Re, Wellesley College and Hackley School.
“I have always admired Apple for its innovative products and dynamic leadership team, and I’m honored to be joining their board,” she said. “I have tremendous respect for Tim, Art and the other board members, and I look forward to working with them.”
Campbell joined Apple in 1983 as its VP of Marketing, he’s actually the longest-serving board member in Apple’s history after Steve Jobs and Mike Markkula.
“Over the past 17 years, it’s been exciting to watch history unfold as Apple emerged as the premier technology company in the world. Working with Steve and Tim has been a joy,” he said. “The company today is in the best shape that I have seen it, and Tim’s leadership of his strong team will allow Apple to continue to be great going forward.”
Cook had this to say about Campbell: “Bill’s contributions to Apple are immeasurable and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. On behalf of the board and the entire company, I want to thank him for being a leader, a mentor and a friend. When Bill joined Apple’s board, the company was on the brink of collapse. He not only helped Apple survive, but he’s led us to a level of success that was simply unimaginable back in 1997.”
Apple’s chief rival also added a board member this week. Google announced on Tuesday that it has added former Ford Motor Company President and CEO Alan Mulally to its board. The company also announced on Thursday that its Chief Business Officer, Nikesh Arora, is leaving.
Image via Wellesley College