Born in May 1975, John Ternus is poised to take the helm of Apple as its next CEO on September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook. With more than 25 years at the company, Ternus brings a deep understanding of Apples hardware legacy and future direction.
Currently serving as Apples Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering since 2021, Ternus has played a central role in shaping many of the company's flagship products. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1997. During his time there, he was also a varsity swimmer, balancing academics with athletics.
His early passion for human-centered design was evident in his senior project, where he developed a head-controlled mechanical feeding arm for individuals with quadriplegia. Before joining Apple, he worked at Virtual Research Systems, focusing on VR headsets and human-machine interfaces experience that later contributed to innovations like the Apple Vision Pro.
Ternus rise within Apple has been marked by steady leadership and technical excellence. Between 2011 and 2013, he led teams working on Mac hardware, including external monitors and G5-series iMacs. In 2013, he was promoted to Vice President of Hardware Engineering, overseeing major product lines such as the iPad, Mac, and AirPods. By 2021, he joined Apples executive team as SVP following Dan Riccio's departure.
Widely credited as a key architect behind the Macs transition to Apple Silicon, Ternus has also overseen every generation of the iPad. More recently, he led development teams behind the iPhone 17 and the MacBook Neo, reinforcing his influence across Apples ecosystem.
Described as charismatic yet steady, Ternus is known for his calm, collaborative leadership style often compared to Cooks. He prioritizes technical clarity and team empowerment, even declining a private office to remain closely connected with his colleagues.
Outside of work, Ternus is a cycling enthusiast and amateur rally car racer, occasionally organizing off-road retreats with colleagues in upstate Washington offering a glimpse into the balanced leadership style he brings to one of the worlds most influential companies.
