Today is officially Tim Cook’s last day as Apple’s chief executive officer. After 15 years leading the company, Cook is stepping down on September 1, with hardware engineering chief John Ternus taking over the role tomorrow. The transition was first announced in April, ending months of speculation about who would eventually succeed the man who has guided Apple through one of the most extraordinary growth periods in corporate history.
Cook is not leaving Apple entirely. Instead, he will become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors, a position that will allow him to remain closely involved with the company while handing day-to-day operational control to Ternus. Reports this weekend indicated that Cook will concentrate on big-picture relationships and strategic initiatives, rather than product development or daily management.
Tim Cook’s legacy as CEO
Cook first joined Apple in 1998, when he came over from Compaq to lead worldwide operations. At the time, Apple was struggling, and the supply chain was widely considered to be inefficient. Cook worked to streamline manufacturing, reduce inventory, and improve margins, earning a reputation as a supply-chain genius. He quickly rose to become Steve Jobs’s trusted lieutenant, and he was named chief operating officer in 2005.
During Jobs’s medical leaves in 2004, 2009, and 2011, Cook ran the company in his absence. This experience prepared him for the moment he officially became CEO on August 24, 2011, just two months before Jobs passed away. Taking over from a founder of Steve Jobs’s stature was seen at the time as an almost impossible job, but Cook succeeded in ways that few could have anticipated.
Under Cook, Apple’s revenue grew from roughly $108 billion in fiscal 2011 to more than $390 billion in fiscal 2025. The company introduced major new products, including Apple Watch, AirPods, the modern iPad lineup, services, and the transition from Intel processors to Apple Silicon. Apple’s market valuation also crossed the $3 trillion mark, making it one of the most valuable companies in history. At the same time, Cook has been a vocal advocate for privacy, environmental sustainability, and social issues, putting those causes at the center of Apple’s public identity.
Who is John Ternus?
John Ternus joined Apple in 2001 as a member of the company’s Product Design team. He spent years working behind the scenes on some of Apple’s most important hardware, including the development of the original AirPods and the transition to Apple Silicon. He moved up the ranks steadily and was formally promoted to senior vice president of Hardware Engineering in January 2021, succeeding Dan Riccio.
As head of hardware engineering, Ternus has overseen the development of the M-series chips, the redesigned MacBook Pro, the iPhone 15’s titanium design, and the Vision Pro spatial computer. He is known for being detail-oriented, calm under pressure, and deeply respected by engineers. Although he has stayed out of the spotlight compared to Cook, he has already appeared in Apple’s product videos and keynote presentations, earning recognition from customers and analysts.
Ternus now takes control at a critical moment. Apple is expected to enter a major product cycle that includes foldable devices, new display technology, and a larger push into artificial intelligence. He will need to manage these product launches while also responding to regulatory pressure, competition, and changing consumer expectations. According to reports, Ternus is expected to take over Cook’s current office at Apple Park, and Cook’s executive assistant will remain on the staff, working for Ternus.
Cook’s new role as executive chairman
As executive chairman, Cook will maintain an office at Apple and remain a force in the company’s strategic decisions. Reports say he will specifically focus on Apple’s relationships with President Donald Trump and the Chinese government. These relationships are critically important to Apple, because China is both a major manufacturing hub and a key market. Cook has spent years building diplomatic ties with Chinese officials, and Apple’s supply chain depends heavily on facilities there.
Cook has told associates that he plans to spend more time outdoors and at his vacation home in Palm Springs.
Source: 9to5Mac News