Historical change to Apple as Tim Cook grants CEO's position to John Ternus from September 1. Cook, who succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011, will take over as executive chairman of the board. Ternus, current senior vice president of hardware engineering, will join the board. During Cook's 15-year term, Apple's stock value multiplied 24 times, reaching $4 trillion. Cook described this period as the greatest privilege of his life, stressing his love for the company.