John Ternus

Chief Executive Officer and Director Apple

Last Reviewed: October 1, 2026

Executive Summary

John Ternus became Apple’s Chief Executive Officer on 1 September 2026, succeeding Tim Cook, who became Executive Chair. He is an engineer who spent his entire Apple career building hardware. He joined the product design team in 2001 and rose to run hardware engineering for every major product line: iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods and Apple Watch. Apple’s board chose him in April 2026, citing his executive leadership in engineering, product design and innovation.

Career Highlights

• Chief Executive Officer and a director of Apple since 1 September 2026.
• Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering from 2021, on Apple’s executive team.
• Vice President of Hardware Engineering from 2013.
• Joined Apple’s product design team in 2001.
• Earlier a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems.

Professional Journey

Ternus earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. In 2001 he joined Apple’s product design team.

In 2013 he became Vice President of Hardware Engineering, and in 2021 he joined the executive team as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering. In that role he oversaw hardware development for iPad, AirPods, iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch. Apple credits him with championing product reliability and durability, advancing repairability, and sustainability work including recycled aluminium compounds and 3D-printed titanium components.

On 17 April 2026 Apple’s board appointed him chief executive and a director, effective 1 September 2026, when Cook moved to Executive Chair and Art Levinson became Lead Independent Director. Apple said he would bring the board “extensive executive leadership experience in the technology industry, including engineering, product design and innovation”. He took over after Apple’s strongest June quarter on record, with revenue of $109.4 billion.

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor’s degree, Mechanical Engineering