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Apple has confirmed a major leadership change at the top of the company, with Tim Cook stepping down as CEO after nearly 15 years and John Ternus taking over the role from September 1. Here’s a look at who Ternus is and how he rose through the ranks at Apple.
A Career Built Entirely At Apple
Ternus, 50, joined Apple’s product design team in 2001 after graduating in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, following a brief stint at a small VR headset company. He has spent almost his entire career at the company since, rising steadily through Apple’s hardware division. He was promoted to Vice President of Hardware Engineering in 2013, and then to Senior Vice President in 2021, becoming the youngest member of Apple’s executive team at the time.
The Engineer Behind Apple’s Biggest Products
As head of hardware engineering, Ternus has had a hand in nearly every major Apple device of recent years, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods and Vision Pro. He most recently led development on the MacBook Neo, Apple’s first budget friendly MacBook, which launched last month. Given his hardware background and increasing public visibility at product launches and store visits in recent years, industry watchers had long viewed him as the natural successor to Cook.
A Planned, Long-Term Transition
Apple described the leadership change as the outcome of a thoughtful, long-term succession planning process, unanimously approved by its board. Cook will move into the role of Executive Chairman, while remaining involved in policy engagement, and Ternus will also join Apple’s board of directors. Arthur Levinson, who has served as Apple’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will become lead independent director, effective the same day. Johny Srouji, Apple’s longtime silicon chief, has been promoted to Chief Hardware Officer, taking over Ternus’s former responsibilities.
A New Chapter For Apple
Cook took over as CEO in 2011, when Apple was valued at around $350 billion, and led the company to become one of the most valuable in the world. Ternus now inherits a company with major financial strength, but also one facing pressure to move faster in artificial intelligence as it enters its next phase of growth.
Khushi Patel is a Senior Sub Editor at NewsX, covering automotive, technology, Lifestyle, entertainment, and mainstream news. She previously worked as a Copy Editor at Times Network and has written automotive editorial content, including comparison pieces, for TimesDrive.
