November 9, 1994: Dr. Amelio Joins Apple

Every Apple enthusiast remembers that Gil Amelio was the CEO of Apple, who made the decision to buy NeXT instead of Be. In essence, Dr. Amelio saved Apple at the expense of job security.

However, few remember that Amelio had masterminded a turnaround at National Semiconductor, taking a company bleeding money to the tune of $320 million over four years to three straight years of profitability. Dr. Amelio had also turned a similar trick at Rockwell International.

While not many remember those displays of managerial dexterity, these successes did impress the Apple board of directors, so much so that they wanted him on the team. Dr. Amelio accepted and joined Apple's board of Directors this week in 1994.