Instant Alert: The rise of Tim Cook, the most powerful CEO in the world

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   The rise of Tim Cook, the most powerful CEO in the world by Matt Weinberger on Jan 29, 2016, 1:16 PM Advertisement In August 2011, Tim Cook took the job as CEO of Apple, leaving many wondering if he could fill the shoes left by his friend and mentor Steve Jobs.  Today, Apple is the most valuable company in the world, and products like the iPhone continue to rule the market, leaving Cook looking pretty good.  But when he was first announced for the role, he was a big question mark — he had come out of seemingly nowhere to lead such a big, important company.  Here's how Tim Cook rose through the ranks and became CEO of Apple. SEE ALSO: 39 photos of how Steve Jobs saved Apple from disaster and led it to rule the world Timothy Donald Cook was born in Mobile, Alabama on November 1st, 1960. He grew up in nearby Robertsdale, where he went to high school. His father, Donald Cook, was a shipyard worker. His mother, Geraldine Cook, worked at a pharmacy. In 1982, Cook graduated from Alabama's Auburn University with a degree in industrial engineering. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network: Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011