Steve Jobs

Guide Note:

Steve Jobs is the current CEO and co-founder of Apple, Inc.. Jobs also was the CEO and majority shareholder of Pixar until the animation studio was acquired by Disney in 2006. However, Jobs is currently on the board of directors at Disney, and is the company's largest individual share holder.

Early Years

Jobs was born in San Francisco, California, and was put up for adoption at birth. His adopted parents named him Steven Paul Jobs, and grew up just south of his birthplace in Cupertino, California. After attending local, Homestead High School, Jobs enrolled Reed College in Portland, Oregon, but dropped out after only one semester. In 1974, Jobs moved back to California and shortly after went on a spiritual journey to India. Soon after returning home, Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computers.

Steve Jobs and Apple

Initially founded as a partnership between Jobs and Wozniak, Apple, Inc. went public in 1980 with the advent and success of the Apple II. On the heels of Apple's ascent, Jobs hired John Sculley a, then, top executive at Pepsi. However, in 1984 a sales slump caused a contentious relationship between Scully and Jobs the result of which found Jobs unemployed.

Jobs' Other Projects

In 1986, Jobs' founded NeXT Computer. Although the company garnered a strong following for its sophisticated machinery, NeXT was unable to jump into the mainstream, and in a interesting turn-of-events, was bought by Apple in 1996. This brought Jobs back to the company that he founded.

Jobs Returns to Apple

Placed as the interim CEO, after the ousting of Gil Amelio, Jobs regained the boards confidence, and significantly increased sales through developments in design and the introduction of the iMac. In the coming years, Jobs reestablished Apple as one of the most cutting-edge tech company's in the sector. With emphasis on design, exemplified in such products as the iPod, Apple was able to re-market themselves as a trendy, household name. Fast Facts:

1. Born on February 24, 1955
2. Net Worth: $5.7 billion (2006)
3. Annual Salary: $1
4. Spouse: Laurene Powell
5. Sibling: Writer Mona Simpson
6. Co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak
7. Fortune Magazine's Most Powerful Businessman of 2007
8. Diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his pancreas
9. 2007 voted Time's 100 Most Influential People in The World