Apple announced Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO to become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors, while John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, will become Apple’s next chief executive officer effective Sept. 1.
The transition was approved unanimously by the board of directors.
Cook will continue in his role as CEO through the summer as he works closely with Ternus on the transition.
“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. 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,” Cook said in a statement.
Ternus has worked under Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and Cook.
“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” Ternus said in a statement.
