Gil Amelio

If he'd just been given a little more time, Gil Amelio believes, he might have been able to save Apple Computer. But he only got 500 days, from February 1996 until July 1997. During those 18 months, he served as chairman and CEO of the struggling computer maker. He was ousted by the board in a move widely attributed to machinations by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Ironically, it was Amelio who brought Jobs back into the company, when he purchased Next Computer for its software technology.

Amelio still believes Apple can be saved, and describes how in his book, On The Firing Line: My 500 Days At Apple.

Paul Schindler spoke with Amelio about his tenure at Apple, his relationship with Steve Jobs, and his hopes for the company. (Recorded April 17, 1998.)

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Job
Partner, The Parkside Group, ex-CEO of Apple Computer

Home
Los Altos Hills, Calif.

Family
Wife Charlene and five children

Education
B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in physics, from Georgia Institute of Technology

Career
At Bell Laboratories, as a research scientist, co-invented the charge-coupled device (CCD), now at the heart of most video cameras. Vice president and general manager of MOS Products Group and Fairchild Camera and Instrument. President of Rockwell Semiconductor Products. Chairman and CEO of National Semiconductor. Served as chairman and CEO of Apple Computer from February 1996 through July 1997.

Recent Accomplishments
Authored (with William L. Simon) On the Firing Line: My 500 Days At Apple from HarperBusiness.

Two Decisions He Would Have Made Differently
1. Would not have forecast when Apple would become profitable.
2. Would have taken a different compensation package, including less pay up front, more reward "at the end of the rainbow" in the event of a turnaround.