TechTheDay

Eric Schmidt has resigned as Alphabet’s (Google) chairman. A software engineer, as well as a businessman, he has served as CEO in Google since 2001 until he stepped down in January of 2011. He still served as the company’s executive chairman and advisor until the announcement was made on December 21st. He will, however, continue to serve on the company’s board.

Adult Supervision

When Google first hired him way back in 2001 Google co-founder Sergay Brin made a comment on the Charlie Rose Show that the move to hire Schmidt was because they needed “Parental Supervision.” So when Eric announced that he’s be stepping down from the company he made a tweet in reference to the interview: “Day-to-day adult supervision no longer needed!” it said.

According to a report posted by CNBC, sources told them that the company had been preparing for the transition for almost a year. Sources also told them that former president of Stanford University, John Hennessy, might be a candidate that would replace Schmidt.

Schmidt believes that it is time for Alphabet to evolve. “Larry, Sergey, Sundar and I all believe that the time is right in Alphabet’s evolution for this transition. In recent years, I’ve been spending a lot of my time on science and technology issues, and philanthropy, and I plan to expand that work.” He also said in a tweet that he “can’t wait to dive into the latest in science, technology, and philanthropy,” and that he’s looking forward “to working with Larry and Sergey on our future here at Alphabet.”

 

According to a statement made by Google co-founder Larry Page,

“Since 2001, Eric has provided us with business and engineering expertise and a clear vision about the future of technology. Continuing his 17 years of service to the company, he’ll now be helping us as a technical advisor on science and technology issues. I’m incredibly excited about the progress our companies are making, and about the strong leaders who are driving that innovation.”

According to the CNBC report, his new role would likely be as the adviser to the company’s urban development arm, Sidewalk Labs, including its deep learning efforts, and its spin-offs, Calico and Verily.

While working for Google he also has a lot of other activities such as being a member of former President Barack Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. He was also a member of the board of directors at Apple Inc. from 2006 to 2009. He also did a lot of philanthropy work over the years using his family’s own foundation. Just recently they launched a programs aimed to invest in startups in middle America. It is said that he also has close ties with Hillary Clinton.

Schmidt’s Personal Life Examined

However, a report by Fox News seems to imply that the resignation might not be because he’s aiming for an evolution in Alphabet but rather because his personal life is being scrutinized and that it became a subject of interest within the giant tech company, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. A New York Post report said that the former Google chairman and his wife, Wendy Schmidt, have led separate lives. According to the wife in a statement she made back in 2012, she felt “like a piece of luggage” as she follows her husband around the globe.

The report also said that the former Google chairman was linked to several other women over the years and news outlets are researching for something the equivalent of a Harvey Weinstein revelation. For now, there’s no news of any sort regarding Schmidt and it is unlikely that reporters will find any. According to the report, an insider told them that there’s no such event in Schmidt’s life.