Apple Names Spindler as Its President

Michael H. Spindler’s No. 2 position at Apple Computer Inc. solidified Friday when the company announced that he has been elected president and nominated as a director. Spindler was named chief operating officer by John A. Sculley, Apple’s chairman and chief executive, in February in the latest episode of Apple’s long-running executive suite drama.

Spindler is the fourth person seemingly designated by Sculley as his right-hand man since 1985, when Apple co-founder and former chairman Steven P. Jobs was ousted in an acrimonious boardroom struggle with Sculley. Spindler, however, is the first to have such broad overall responsibilities in the Cupertino-based computer maker since Del Yocam, Apple’s last chief operating officer, was reassigned in 1988. Sculley had held the president’s title since Jobs brought him into the company in April, 1983.

On Friday, Apple also said Bernard Goldstein, a partner in the investment banking firm of Broadview Associates, has been nominated to Apple’s board of directors. Joseph A. Graziano, Apple’s chief financial officer, and Albert Eisenstat, Apple’s secretary, were named executive vice presidents. The company said the responsibilities of Spindler, Graziano and Eisenstat had not been changed.