CUPERTINO, Calif: After 15 years under Tim Cook, Apple has a new leader. John Ternus officially took over as CEO Tuesday, marking the company’s first change at the top since 2011.
Cook, who joined Apple in 1998, became CEO in 2011 after co-founder Steve Jobs resigned because of health problems. He now moves into the role of executive chairman, while continuing to support the company on key matters.
The leadership change follows a long-planned succession process approved unanimously by Apple’s board. Ternus, one of Apple’s most senior hardware executives, takes charge as the company navigates a rapidly changing technology industry and prepares for its next generation of products and services.
During Cook’s tenure, Apple expanded well beyond the iPhone-centered era of Jobs. The company introduced the Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Vision Pro while building its services business around products such as Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud and Apple TV.
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Apple also expanded its global reach under Cook, with its active installed base growing to more than 2.5 billion devices worldwide. Its services business has grown into a more than $100 billion-a-year operation, making it an increasingly important part of the company’s financial performance.
Ternus takes the top job after serving as Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. In that role, he oversaw engineering work across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods and Vision Pro.
His career at Apple has been closely tied to the development of the company’s major hardware products, giving him a deep understanding of its engineering culture and product strategy. Before joining Apple, Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
The transition gives Apple a CEO with a strong hardware background at a time when artificial intelligence, advanced computing and new forms of consumer technology are reshaping the industry.
For Cook, the move marks the end of his day-to-day leadership of Apple but not his departure from the company. As executive chairman, he will remain involved in Apple’s broader direction while Ternus takes responsibility for running the company and shaping its next phase.
