He joined Apple Computer in 1979 as vice president of manufacturing and operations. He was the executive vice president and general manager of the Apple II group from 1983 until 1985. From 1986 until 1988, he served as executive vice president and Apple's first chief operating officer (COO). After three years as COO, Yocam became president of Apple Pacific. In this position, Yocam was responsible for strengthening Apple's markets in Canada, Australia, and Japan, while investing in emerging markets in the Far East and Latin America. He retired from Apple on his tenth anniversary in 1989.