Gil Amelio

Gilbert F. Amelio (born March 1, 1943 in New York City) is an American technology executive. He grew up in Miami, Florida, and received a bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. in physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Career

Amelio worked at Bell Labs, Fairchild Semiconductor, and the semiconductor division of Rockwell International, but is best remembered as a former CEO of National Semiconductor and Apple Computer. Amelio was CEO of National Semiconductor from May 27, 1991 - February 2, 1996. During his tenure at NatSemi, Amelio cut costs and returned the company to profitability.

Related Topics:
Bell Labs - Fairchild Semiconductor - Rockwell International - National Semiconductor - Apple Computer - May 27 - 1991 - February 2 - 1996

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Apple

In 1994, Amelio joined the Board of Directors of Apple Computer. Upon his resignation from NatSemi, Amelio became Apple CEO February 2, 1996, succeeding Michael Spindler. His salary was a reported $2.5 million, plus bonuses and a $5 million loan.

Related Topics:
1994 - Apple Computer - February 2 - 1996 - Michael Spindler

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Amelio cited several problems at Apple including shortage of cash and liquidity; low-quality products; lack of a viable operating system strategy; undisciplined corporate culture; and fragmentation, and trying to do too much and in too many directions.

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To address these problems, Amelio cut costs, reduced its work force by one third, discontinued the Copland operating system project, and oversaw the development of Mac OS 8. To replace Copland and fulfill the need for a next-generation operating system for the Macintosh, Amelio started negotiations to buy Be, Incorporated, makers of BeOS, but negotiations stalled when Be CEO Jean-Louis Gassée wanted $400 million, Apple offered $125m maximum. In November 1996, Amelio started discussions with Steve Jobs' NeXT, and bought the company on February 4, 1997 for $402 million. NeXT's operating system became the basis for Mac OS X. Amelio later admitted he overpaid for NeXT.

Related Topics:
Copland - Mac OS 8 - Be, Incorporated - BeOS - Jean-Louis Gassée - 1996 - Steve Jobs - NeXT - February 4 - 1997 - Mac OS X

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During Amelio's tenure, Apple's stock hit a 12-year low, and in the second quarter of 1997, the company lost $708 million. Amelio was widely criticized as lacking vision and marketing ability. He resigned from Apple July 9, 1997 and was replaced by Steve Jobs. He wrote a book titled On the Firing Line: My 500 Days at Apple Computer.http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0887309186/qid=1124815278/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-4824396-4175045?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Related Topics:
July 9 - 1997 - Steve Jobs

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After leaving Apple, Amelio embarked on a second career as a venture capitalist. Despite the criticisms, Amelio was responsible for putting Apple back into having a respectable cash flow, there by giving Steve Jobs the monetary funds to start off in his many projects that he later commenced.

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