Steve Jobs Death Being Planned For By Apple Board?

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Beloved tech icon and Apple CEO Steve Jobs is on his third medical leave of absence and his second in two years. Because of the role he plays in the company’s products, many are concerned about Jobs and what happens to Apple if he’s unable to return to the company. Although the Apple board has not publicly disclosed their plans for life after Jobs, it’s being reported today that some of them are planning Jobs’ succession.

According to the Wall Street Journal, citing folks familiar with the matter, some members of Apple’s board of directors have been exploring their options in the event that Jobs can’t return to Apple full-time as CEO. These people are said not to be acting on behalf of the entire board. They’re also not discussing recruiting a new CEO from another company or anything that drastic – just discussing what could be done.

Apple has a seven-man board, including Jobs himself. As many readers know, Jobs himself was outed by the board from Apple in 1985 (before returning in 1997). Now, every person on Apple’s board of directors has been hand-picked by Jobs himself, which probably cements Jobs in complete control of Apple.

When the Wall Street Journal contacted Jobs’ public email address for comment on this story, he allegedly said:

I think it’s hogwash.

And certainly, Jobs may feel a little betrayed if in fact some members of the board are plotting what to do after his demise. According to the WSJ, Apple’s board of directors is a close-knit loyal group, so a minority of them plotting without the approval of the full board would certainly be unusual.

Remember there was an attempt by some Apple shareholders at the last shareholder’s meeting to force the board to disclose their plans for life after Jobs, but that resolution was voted down.

Apple COO Tim Cook is currently acting as CEO. Jobs is still allegedly taking work meetings at his Palo Alto home and said to be making regular trips to the Apple campus.

Do you think Apple should be planning what to do if Jobs leaves the company for good? Or is that disrespectful to the man? Tell us what you think about this in the comments section.