After a transformative 15-year run at the helm of the world’s most iconic tech giant, Tim Cook is officially stepping down as Apple’s Chief Executive Officer. Following a unanimous vote by the board of directors, the company announced that John Ternus, Apple’s current Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will succeed Cook as CEO effective September 1, 2026.
The End of the Cook Era
Cook, 65, will not be leaving Apple entirely; he will transition into a new role as the Executive Chairman of the board of directors. His journey with the company began in March 1998, eventually leading to his appointment as CEO in August 2011, shortly before the passing of co-founder Steve Jobs.
Under Cook’s leadership, Apple saw explosive growth and diversification. He successfully steered the hardware giant into highly lucrative new product and service categories, cementing the company’s footprint in Hollywood and digital services with platforms like Apple TV and Apple Music.
“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,” Cook shared in a statement, expressing his deep gratitude for the ingenious and dedicated team that helped build the best products in the world.
John Ternus: The Hardware Veteran Taking Over
The selection of 50-year-old John Ternus signals a strong message about Apple’s future: physical devices remain the undisputed core of the company’s financial engine.
Ternus is a 25-year veteran of the company, having joined Apple’s product design team in 2001. He was elevated to the executive team as SVP of hardware engineering in 2021. Over his tenure, Ternus has been a driving force behind some of Apple’s most successful modern releases. He was instrumental in launching the iPad and AirPods, and has overseen multiple generational leaps across the iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch lines.
“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” Ternus said. Reflecting on his career, he noted his unique fortune in having worked under both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, calling it a privilege to shape products that fundamentally change how the world interacts.
Cook offered high praise for his successor, stating that Ternus “has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor.”
Boardroom Shifts
The leadership transition will also bring changes to Apple’s board. Arthur Levinson, the founder and CEO of Calico Labs, who has served as Apple’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will become the lead independent director when the CEO changeover takes place. Ternus will officially join the board of directors on that same date.
