John Ternus Assumes Role as Apple CEO

John Ternus has officially stepped into the role of Apple CEO today (September 2), with Tim Cook transitioning to Executive Chair. According to a report by MacRumours, in his first memo to employees, Ternus praised Cook’s leadership, calling him a CEO who led with “values, decency, and humanity.” He expressed gratitude for Cook’s guidance during the transition and said Apple is “so lucky” to have him continue as executive chairman. In the memo, Ternus described Apple as “the greatest company in the world” and thanked employees for their support. He emphasized his excitement about Apple’s future and highlighted the company’s upcoming launch event next week, which he said will be “phenomenal.” Ternus also gave a subtle nod to the iPhone 18 series, expected to debut at Apple’s September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event. He wrote: “I’m just as excited about what lies beyond that, including the incredible products already in the works and the ones we haven’t even imagined yet that we’ll dream up and create together.”

Leadership restructuring at Apple

Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001 and previously served as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, brings a product-focused background to the CEO role. As part of the leadership transition: * Johny Srouji has been named Chief Hardware Officer. * Laura Legros, a former engineering VP, is returning to Apple. * The product design team has been restructured.

Team, Today, on my first day as CEO, I just wanted to send a quick note to thank everyone for the warm wishes. I also want to extend my deep appreciation to Tim for sharing so much of his knowledge and experience during this transition, and more importantly, for everything he contributed to Apple over the years. We're so lucky to have had a CEO who led with his values and with such decency and humanity. We are all better for it, and I'm so grateful he'll be our executive chairman. I'm honored to be stepping into this role at what is truly the greatest company in the world, and I am so excited about everything we have in store. We have a huge launch next week that's going to be phenomenal. Thanks for everything you've all done to make it possible. I'm just as excited about what lies beyond that, including the incredible products already in the works and the ones we haven't even imagined yet that we'll dream up and create together. There's no team in the world I'd rather build the future with. More to come. In the meantime, thanks for your excellent work! John

Ternus is a longtime Apple employee, having first joined the company in 2001. Prior to becoming CEO, he was senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, so he has a product-focused background instead of the operations background Cook has. Apple's leadership team has been reorganizing during the transition from Cook to Ternus, and the full effect of the changes will play out over the next several years. Johny Srouji is now Apple's chief hardware officer, taking over the Hardware Engineering team that Ternus previously led. Former engineering VP and Ternus lieutenant Laura Legros is returning to Apple, and the product design team was restructured. On his last day as CEO, Cook told employees he took "enormous comfort" in handing leadership of Apple to "someone as brilliant and wonderful and capable as John." Ternus has been on stage during Apple events before, but the September 9 "Surprise and Shine" iPhone event will be his first as Apple CEO.