Apple is preparing for a massive shift in its leadership. Tim Cook has been running the company for well over a decade, but he will not stay in the top job forever. Behind closed doors, Apple is slowly getting John Ternus ready to take over as the next chief executive.
Ternus currently leads the hardware engineering team and is becoming a much more public face for the brand.
Here’s what you need to know about John Ternus and his role
Ternus has been with Apple for more than twenty years. He joined in 2001 and started in product design before working his way up to senior vice president of hardware engineering. That means he currently oversees the physical development of almost everything the company sells, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers. He also played an important role in moving the Mac lineup away from Intel chips and over to Apple silicon.
Coworkers describe him as a very steady and reliable leader. He is not known for causing drama or pushing wild ideas. Instead, he focuses heavily on strict execution and delivering good products on schedule.
This calm management style makes him look like a very natural replacement for Tim Cook. Apple’s board of directors clearly wants someone who can keep the giant business running smoothly without shocking the market.
Ternus is stepping up to manage global tasks and public events
You can see the transition happening right now if you look closely. Apple is letting Ternus handle a lot more public speaking during their major product announcement videos. He is also taking on high-profile international trips to meet with parts suppliers and foreign government officials. These are important tasks usually reserved for the person running the entire company.
Reports from inside the headquarters suggest Ternus is taking on more daily responsibilities outside of his usual hardware duties. Tim Cook is likely going to stay in his current position for at least another year or maybe two. However, the company is clearly laying the groundwork now.
Apple wants to make sure that investors, employees, and customers feel completely comfortable when the official handover finally happens.
