Google’s CEO Resigns From Apple’s Board of Directors

Dr. Eric Schmidt served on Apple’s Board since 2006

By Ed Martinez

August 3, 2009

Apple announced today that Google’s CEO, Dr. Eric Schmidt has resigned from its Board of Directors. Schmidt’s move was expected after acknowledging last month that he would be discussing his future on the board with Apple. Last month, Google surprised the world, when they announced that they were working on developing the new Chrome operating system. The new computer operating system and Android operating system for mobile phones have now put Google in direct competition with Apple.

Schmidt joined Apple’s Board of Directors back in 2006. Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs, praised Schmidt’s talent and passion that contributed to Apple’s success. “Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple’s core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished, since he will have to recuse himself from even larger portions of our meetings due to potential conflicts of interest. Therefore, we have mutually decided that now is the right time for Eric to resign his position on Apple’s Board,” said Jobs.

The FCC issued a statement today indicating that they had begun taking an interest in the Google/Apple interlocking directorates issue for some time and commends both corporations for recognizing that sharing directories raises competitive issues. The Bureau of Competition Director Richard Feinstein also said “We will continue to investigate remaining interlocking directorates between the companies.”