Apple appointed Dr. Ronald D. Sugar, 61,  former Chair and CEO of Northrop Grumman. He also held executive positions at Litton Industries and was CFO, TRW.  He is a director of Chevron, Amgen and Air Lease Corporation, and is a senior advisor to Ares Management. He holds a PhD in engineering from USC. A strong financial executive was needed to boost up the board with the death of Jerry York, 71, earlier this year.

When it comes to board changes and trends, there are several moves-and key trends-of significance.