John Ternus officially became Apple’s chief executive on Tuesday, taking over from Tim Cook, who is moving into a new role as executive chairman, according to multiple reports including MacRumors and 9to5Mac.
Ternus Sends First Memo as CEO
On his first morning in the role, Ternus emailed Apple staff worldwide to thank them for their support and to express his appreciation for Cook’s guidance during the handover, MacRumors reported after obtaining a copy of the memo.
In the note, Ternus called it an honor to lead what he described as “truly the greatest company in the world,” and pointed to an upcoming product launch he said would be significant for the company, according to 9to5Mac.
A Product-Focused Successor
Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and rose through the company’s product design and hardware engineering ranks, becoming senior vice president of Hardware Engineering before his promotion to CEO. That gives him a background centered on product development, in contrast to Cook’s operations and supply chain focus, MacRumors noted.
Under his prior leadership, Apple’s hardware teams shipped several notable recent products, including the thinner iPhone Air and the lower cost MacBook Neo, according to TechCrunch.
Leadership Reshuffle Continues
Apple’s executive ranks have been reorganized as part of the transition. Johny Srouji has taken over as the company’s chief hardware officer, assuming leadership of the Hardware Engineering team Ternus previously ran, AppleInsider reported. Former engineering vice president Laura Legros is also returning to Apple as part of the changes, and the product design team has been restructured.
Cook’s Farewell Message
On his final day as CEO, Cook sent his own memo to staff, praising Ternus as someone who understands what it takes to build products that change the world, and emphasizing that he is not leaving Apple, only stepping down from the chief executive role, according to TechCrunch.
Ternus is expected to make his first public appearance as CEO at Apple’s September 9 event, where the company is widely anticipated to unveil its next generation of iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods hardware, along with new versions of its software platforms.
What Comes Next
Apple’s leadership transition has been in motion for months, with the company gradually shifting more operational responsibilities toward Ternus ahead of the formal handover. Analysts have said the move signals a renewed emphasis on hardware innovation at a time when Apple faces growing competition in artificial intelligence and wearable devices.
Cook led Apple for more than a decade, during which the company’s market value grew significantly and its product lineup expanded well beyond the iPhone. His new role as executive chairman means he will remain involved with the company in an advisory capacity rather than departing entirely.
