Apple has unveiled a major leadership shift, marking the end of an era and the dawn of a new chapter. Its longtime CEO Tim Cook will take on the role of executive chairman of the board of directors. John Ternus, currently senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will take over as chief executive officer starting September 1, 2026.
Smooth Succession Plan
This comes after a deliberate and extended succession process unanimously backed by Apple’s board. Tim Cook plans to stay in his CEO position through the summer to allow time for close collaboration with John Ternus for a seamless handover. In his future role as executive chairman, Cook will focus on select responsibilities, such as interactions with global policymakers.
Cook shared deep gratitude for his journey at Apple, describing leading the company as the highest honor of his life. He praised the team’s ingenuity, creativity, and commitment to superior products and customer enrichment.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company. I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people who have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world,” said Tim Cook.”
“John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor. He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future. I could not be more confident in his abilities and his character, and I look forward to working closely with him on this transition and in my new role as executive chairman.”
Cook’s Transformative Legacy
Since joining Apple in 1998 and assuming the CEO position in 2011, Cook has driven extraordinary growth. The firm’s market value soared from about USD 350 billion to USD 4 trillion, which is more than a tenfold rise. Annual revenue expanded nearly fourfold, reaching over USD 416 billion in fiscal year 2025.
Apple’s reach grew to more than 200 countries and territories, with over 500 retail stores worldwide. The workforce expanded by over 100,000 people, and the active device base surpassed 2.5 billion units.
Innovations Under Cook
Cook spearheaded the launch of new categories like Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro. Services like iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple TV, and Apple Music flourished into a business exceeding 100 billion annually, rivaling a Fortune 40 firm. He pioneered the wearables sector, boosting health and safety features through popular watches and headphones.
Apple-designed silicon brought superior efficiency and performance. Cook also embedded core values into operations, slashing the carbon footprint by over 60 percent from 2015 levels amid doubled revenue. He championed privacy as a human right, elevated security standards, advanced accessibility, and fostered an inclusive workplace.
Introducing John Ternus
Ternus brings over two decades of Apple experience, having started on the product design team in 2001. He advanced to vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013 and joined the executive team as senior vice president in 2021.
His oversight spans hardware for iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods across generations. Ternus also contributed to iPad and AirPods introductions, revitalizing Mac to peak power and popularity. Recent highlights include the MacBook Neo to promote broader accessibility.
“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” said John Ternus.
“Having spent almost my entire career at Apple, I have been lucky to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor. It has been a privilege to help shape the products and experiences that have changed so much of how we interact with the world and with one another. I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us. I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century.”
Ternus’s Key Contributions
Last fall, his team redefined iPhones with the powerful 17 Pro and Pro Max, slim iPhone Air, and upgraded iPhone 17. AirPods were equipped with top noise cancellation and hearing aid capabilities. He emphasized reliability, durability, eco-materials like recycled aluminum, 3D-printed titanium in Apple Watch Ultra 3, and repair innovations extending product life.
Before Apple, John Ternus worked as a Mechanical Engineer at Virtual Research Systems. He earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
Cook lauded Ternus’s engineering mindset, innovative spirit, and honorable leadership, deeming him ideal for Apple’s future. Ternus expressed profound thanks, crediting mentors Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. He pledged to uphold Apple’s half-century values with optimism.
Board Adjustments
Arthur Levinson, non-executive chairman for 15 years, will take on the role of lead independent director on September 1, with Ternus set to join the board of directors on the same date. He hailed Tim Cook’s integrity and innovations and is confident in John Ternus’s technical prowess and product focus.
“Tim’s unprecedented and outstanding leadership has transformed Apple into the world’s best company. He’s introduced groundbreaking products and services time and again, and his integrity and values are infused into everything Apple does,” said Levinson.
“On behalf of the entire board of directors, we are incredibly grateful for his countless contributions to Apple and the world, and we are thrilled he will now be executive chairman. We believe John is the best possible leader to succeed Tim and as he transitions to CEO we know his love of Apple, his leadership, deep technical knowledge, and relentless focus on creating great products will help lead Apple to an extraordinary future.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When does John Ternus become Apple’s CEO?
A: John Ternus will assume the CEO role effective September 1, 2026.
Q: What role will Tim Cook take after stepping down as CEO?
A: Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors.
Q: How long has John Ternus worked at Apple?
A: John Ternus has been with Apple for over 25 years, starting in 2001.
Q: What are some achievements under Tim Cook’s leadership?
A: Apple’s market cap grew to 4 trillion, revenue quadrupled, and new products like Apple Watch and AirPods launched.
Q: What board changes accompany the CEO transition?
A: Arthur Levinson becomes lead independent director, and John Ternus joins the board.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
