Apple’s Farewell for Tim Cook
Apple hosted a farewell party for Tim Cook a week before John Ternus assumes the role of CEO.
On Sunday, approximately 200 Apple employees attended a gathering at the Caffè Macs cafeteria on Cupertino’s company campus. OneRepublic performed at the event, as reported by Aaron Tilley of The Information.
Cook’s Final Days as CEO
This celebration marks Cook’s 15 years as Apple’s CEO, beginning on the following day. He will transition to an executive chairman role starting September 1st, where he will focus on engaging with global policymakers.
Notable Speakers
- Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, paid tribute to Cook.
- Jeff Williams, former Chief Operating Officer (retired in 2025), also spoke.
- Eddy Cue, head of Apple’s services and health division, and John Ternus, leader of hardware engineering, were among the speakers.
A Personal Moment for Cook
The most notable aspect of the event was Cook acknowledging his partner by his first name, Mike, in front of colleagues. This is a significant departure from his usual public demeanor, as he has kept his private life largely confidential during his tenure as CEO.
Transitioning Roles
While Cook is stepping down as CEO, he will not be leaving Apple entirely. He will retain an active role as executive chairman, overseeing regulatory matters and continuing his work with global governments.
Ternus’ Appointment
John Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001, will take over as CEO on September 1st. With open regulatory fronts in Europe and ongoing discussions with the EU tech chief regarding Siri AI features blocked by the Digital Markets Act, Ternus’s appointment maintains continuity in Apple’s handling of these matters.