‘Nothing has changed’ vis a vis Jobs, says Apple board member

With the company’s über CEO on medical leave and lingering questions over transparency thereupon, management, board and shareholders of our favorite fruit company met yesterday with little fanfare or much in the way of fireworks—the board was re-elected and business was conducted.

Facing up to address a packed room, Arthur Levinson, CEO, Genentech and board member, said yesterday that “nothing has changed,” since Apple’s disclosure on Jan. 14 that Jobs was taking a five-month medical leave, which is expected to run through the end of June.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of turds swimming outside the punchbowl demanding to be heard.

“If I was a shareholder, I would have been upset if I heard them say, ‘He was fine, it’s a hormone imbalance’ and then nine days later, hear him say ‘I’m taking leave.’ That’s misleading at best. It’s possible that things change that quickly. That’s why the lack of disclosure is disconcerting”—Andy Hargreaves, analyst, Pacific Crest Securities, who rates Apple shares outperform.

“It’s a very secretive culture, a very closed culture. It’s hard to talk in an open manner”—Conrad Mackerron, director of corporate social responsibility for As You Sow, an environmental advocacy group.

“If in two months it comes out that something changed and people knew two months ago and they didn’t say anything, there could be hell to pay. If they don’t say anything more, than it’s reasonable to believe that the company doesn’t know any different information—Jahan Raissi, partner, Shartsis Friese LLP.

The above quotes come via Bloomberg

See also:
— Comic Relief at Apple’s Shareholder Meeting, MacObserver
— Apple’s Annual Meeting: Not Much Concern About Succession, BusinessWeek

Although I report rumors about Mr Jobs—it’s theater—I would really like to force the kind of disclosure and transparency these people say they want for Jobs or John McCain or Michael Phelps or Bill Clinton onto their lives. That is, force them to show us every wart and disclose every indiscretion or puff on a joint or hamburger wrapper not recycled not because it matters, but because we have a neurotic need to know.

Fair is fair and the rules shouldn’t be any different for Jobs than the sanctimonious, likely hypocritical prigs quoted above…

What’s your take?

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