John Ternus, Vice President of Hardware Engineering,
Emerges as Leading CEO Candidate
As Apple CEO Tim Cook approaches his 65th birthday, internal discussions regarding the selection of the next CEO are reportedly underway.
Apple CEO Tim Cook smiling while holding the newly released iPhone. Tim Cook, Apple’s Chief Executive Officer, is holding the newly released iPhone 15 Pro model at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on September 12. Apple held an event that day to introduce the iPhone 15 series and new products such as the Apple Watch. Photo by Yonhap News
On October 11 (local time), Bloomberg News reported that while Cook has not officially announced any plans to retire or resign, Apple is internally preparing for a smooth succession. Cook succeeded Steve Jobs as CEO in 2011 and will turn 65 on November 1.
According to the U.S. stock information platform Stocktwits, Apple’s stock price has risen approximately 18-fold since Cook took office. While Jobs changed the way users interact with technology through the iPhone, Cook is credited with expanding Apple’s ecosystem through subscription services, wearables, and earbuds.
Bloomberg reported that John Ternus, Vice President of Hardware Engineering, is currently considered the strongest candidate for the next CEO. Ternus has been a key figure at Apple for over 20 years, leading product design and engineering, and, like Cook when he became CEO, is 50 years old. His ability to provide consistent leadership for more than a decade is seen as a major strength.
In September, Ternus personally unveiled the thinnest iPhone ever, the iPhone Air, at Apple’s annual developer conference (WWDC), and has increased his public presence by participating in events such as the London Apple Store launch.
Jeff Williams, the former Chief Operating Officer who had long been considered a strong successor, stepped down earlier this year and is set to retire by the end of the year. With Williams’ departure, there is analysis that the succession structure is being reorganized during Cook’s extended tenure.
Other potential candidates include Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering (56), and Greg Joswiak, Senior Vice President of Marketing (62).
Currently, there is no official position on Cook’s resignation or the nomination of a successor, and Bloomberg reported that "Apple is reviewing long-term leadership transition scenarios internally."
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