Apple Computer Inc. plans to name Steve Jobs as its chairman, the Chronicle has learned.
Apple intends to introduce its co-founder, who returned to the company last December as a part-time adviser, as Apple chairman during the Macworld Expo trade show in Boston next Wednesday morning, where Jobs is scheduled to give a keynote speech, according to sources close to company management.
Apple's board of directors believes Jobs would be able to shape a strategy for the troubled company while firing up its demoralized ranks, sources said.
For several weeks, company managers have been debating the hiring of Jobs, who was brought back when Apple bought his Next Software Inc., and who has grown more influential in recent months.
"Apple needs someone who can articulate a grand plan and knows the business," said one Silicon Valley insider, who asked not to be named.
It also needs someone to jump-start its computer sales and put a stop to $1.6 billion in losses over the past 17 months. During that time, sales for the personal computer pioneer have dropped to less than 5 percent of the U.S. computer market.
As chairman, Jobs would be able to direct Apple's long-term strategy without getting embroiled in the problematic day-to-day operations that resulted in the firing of a long list of Apple executives, including, most recently, Chief Executive Gil Amelio.
Sources also are betting that Jobs will name two high-profile technology executives -- Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison and Sun Microsystems Inc. CEO Scott McNealy are the most frequently mentioned -- to Apple's board of directors.
However, the sources caution that Jobs' appointment is not a done deal. Citing the company's turbulent history and its habit of last-minute plan changing, they said Apple conceivably could name someone else as chairman.
Pub Date: 7/30/97
