Apple's Tim Cook Small Town Boy Does Good

"He's the kind of fellow that doesn't believe in giving up on nothing. He's a go-getter. He's a workaholic."

That work ethic has paid off, helping land Tim Cook of Robertsdale, the top job of one of the country's premiere computer companies, Apple.

His parents, Donald and Geraldine Cook, are understandably proud of their middle child.

"He's given a lot of pleasure. He won a speaking contest back in school and I don't know where he got that speaking from, we can't do that," says his Mom.

They are quick to pull out photos and trophies only a parent would be proud of. "Anything he started he finished. No matter what it was. If he got in it, he finished it," says the elder Cook.

Back in 1978 when at Robertsdale High School Tim Cook was a student here and a good one. He finished at the top of his class but even then his parents say they didn't know he would go on to such great things.

"I never even dreamed that Tim would be where he is today," says his Mother. "I knew he would do good wherever he went but we had no idea he'd be out in California."

He makes it back home once or twice a year. "He calls every Sunday, no matter what, no matter where he's at. Europe, Asia no matter where he's at, he calls his Mother every Sunday. He don't miss a one."

It sounds like Apple maybe in good hands.

Cook has been Apple's Chief Operations Officer since 2005. He will run the company while CEO Steve Jobs takes a medical leave of absence.