Alabama native Tim Cook to step down as Apple CEO
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Mobile native and Auburn University graduate Tim Cook is set to step down as CEO of Apple after serving in the role since 2011.
Cook, who took over after founder Steve Jobs stepped down, will continue in his role before officially stepping down Sep. 1, 2026. He will then become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors.
“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.”
Tim Cook, Apple CEO
John Ternus, senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will become Apple’s next CEO.
Keep reading to learn more about Cook’s decision + his tenure as one of the most influential members of the tech world.
Tim Cook steps down at Apple
Tim Cook joined Apple in 1998 before moving up to CEO in 2011. He has overseen the introduction of numerous products and services, including new categories like:
- Apple Watch
- AirPods
- Apple Vision Pro
- iCloud
- Apple Pay
- Apple TV
- Apple Music
According to Apple, the company has grown from a market capitalization of $350 billion to $4 trillion and yearly revenue has nearly quadrupled under Cook’s leadership.
Apple now operates over 500 retail stores and has more than doubled the number of countries in which its customers can visit an Apple Store. During his tenure, Apple has grown by more than 100,000 team members and increased its active installed base to more than 2.5 billion devices.
The company has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 60 percent below 2015 levels during a period in which revenue nearly doubled.
Cook, who has long advocated for privacy as a fundamental human right, has made privacy and security imperative at Apple, setting a standard for user protection that continues to set the company apart from the rest of the technology industry.
He has also pushed for continued innovation in the accessibility space, believing that Apple products should be made for everyone.
