Tim Cook shares open letter of gratitude as he announces Apple CEO transition

Source: 9to5Mac

Apple announces CEO transition

Apple posted a touching open letter from Tim Cook on its website, in which he calls his time as CEO an “honor and a privilege.” He also describes incoming CEO John Ternus as a “brilliant engineer and thinker.”

As announced today, Tim Cook will move to the executive chairman role in September. Ternus is being promoted from his prior role as SVP of Hardware Engineering. Cook became Apple’s CEO in August 2011 after founder Steve Jobs retired due to ill health. When Cook steps down, he will end a fifteen‑year run as leader of one of the world’s biggest and most valuable companies.

Tim Cook’s open letter

In the letter, Cook reflects on his career at Apple while stressing that his departure does not mean “goodbye.” He ends the letter with a personal note of gratitude to every Apple customer:

This is not goodbye. But at this moment of transition, I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you. Not on behalf of the company, this time, though there is a wellspring of gratitude for you that overflows inside our walls. But simply on behalf of me. Tim. A person who grew up in a rural place in a different time and, for these magical moments, got to be the CEO of the greatest company in the world. Thank you for the confidence and kindness you’ve shown me. Thank you for saying hi to me on the street and in our stores. Thank you for cheering alongside me when we unveiled a new product or service. Thank you, most of all, for believing in me to lead the company that has always put you at the center of our work. Every day we get up and think about what we can do to make your life a little bit better. And every day, you’ve made mine the best I could have asked for.

It remains to be seen how public‑facing his role will be as chairman going forward.

Cook’s legacy

During his tenure, Cook oversaw:

• Record growth of the iPhone business
• Major expansion of Apple’s services division
• The industry‑leading era of Apple silicon
• Launches of new product categories such as AirPods, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro

These achievements contributed to Apple’s meteoric rise under his watch.

Full letter

You can read Cook’s public letter in full here: Apple community letter from Tim