The end of an era is upon us, as Tim Cook will be stepping down as Apple's CEO on September 1, after 15 years of leading the company.
Cook has been Apple's CEO since 2011Tomorrow, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO. Cook will remain at Apple as the executive chairman of the company's board of directors. In this new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company, including "engaging with policymakers around the world."
Cook became Apple's CEO in August 2011, after Steve Jobs stepped down due to health problems. Under his leadership, Apple became the world's most valuable company on multiple occasions, and it launched products and services such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod, Vision Pro, Apple Music, Apple TV, and much more.
Apple has set all-time quarterly revenue records over its past few quarters, so the company is in a strong financial position as Cook hands the reins to Ternus.
"It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company," said Cook. "I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people who have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world."
Ternus (left) and Cook (right)"John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor," said Cook. "He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future."
"I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us," said Ternus.
