IT Management: Picking Steve Jobs' Replacement as Apple CEO: 10 Leading Candidates

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has announced that he's taking his second medical leave of absence from the company in as many years. He didn't provide details on why he'll be leaving the company for an extended period, but he reassured investors that Apple would be left in the able hands of its COO Tim Cook. Jobs' leave of absence and his decision to put Tim Cook in charge of day-to-day operations has prompted both investors and other observers of Apple's every move to question who will take over the company if Jobs has to step down. Cook seems like an obvious choice, considering he has been tasked with leading the company in Jobs' absence, but there are other equally qualified people—both at Apple and outside the firm—each of whom could be capable successors to Jobs. This slide show presents some leading figures at Apple and in the IT industry at large that Apple's board of directors might want to keep in mind as potential successors if Jobs has to step aside. This list could change, depending upon when Jobs makes a decision. Jobs may have already told the board who he wants to succeed him. But for now, the following 10 people seem like the best choices for the job.