I love how Jimbo's absolute control over Wikipedia is brought up time after time in the same paragraph. Uhm, he founded the thing and chairs the organization that is responsible for it. Duh.
Chair of the Board is currently Florence Nibart-Devouard,
That's what I get for not doing my research. I take it he is still in some pretty prominent position, though.
He's on the board, so has one vote in board meetings. He also commands a lot of respect from the community, which counts for a lot.
What next, Steve Jobs can do what he wants with Apple? Oh noes!
Steve jobs has to answer to shareholders.
Jimmy has to answer to us, too. Or at least if he something stupid and didn't answer to us we'd get pissed and fork.
Not legally, but in practice, yes. The management of a public company are legally obliged to work in the interests of their shareholders.