Jakarta, ThedailyID — Tim Cook officially completed his final day as Apple CEO on Monday (August 31), ending a 15-year tenure at the helm of one of the world’s most valuable companies.
Starting Tuesday (September 1), Cook steps down from the CEO role and hands the position to John Ternus. In his final memo to Apple employees, Cook expressed his gratitude for the team he had led since taking over from Steve Jobs in 2011.
“I will miss leading and being alongside you every step of the way, even though I am completely comfortable handing the reins to someone as brilliant, extraordinary, and capable as John,” Cook wrote, as reported by 9to5Mac on Tuesday (01/09).
Cook said his achievements as CEO would not have been possible without Apple’s employees, crediting them for bringing out the best in him throughout his tenure. He also reflected on what he considers Apple’s greatest strength: its culture and shared sense of purpose.
Here is Tim Cook’s final memo to Apple employees, in full:
Team,
Today is my last day as CEO of Apple. This is a moment I have always known would come someday, but it is still hard to believe that the day has arrived and that I have to write these words. I love this company and the team behind it. I couldn’t let today pass without sending a note to tell you how grateful I am for the outpouring of love you have given me, for how you show up every day, and most importantly, for the lifetime privilege of serving you as your leader.
Honestly, whatever can be said about my success, I know it happened in large part because of you. You have brought out the best in me. Throughout my life, I have never seen or worked with a team as extraordinary as this one, and every day I continue to see more evidence of it.
There is something truly special about Apple. I am most proud of the things that cannot be captured in an annual report. This place is proof that culture trumps everything. We share a belief that what we build matters, and that we have an opportunity and responsibility to leave the world better than we found it. That purpose is what makes this place extraordinary. Apple helps nurture it, but I believe it has been present in each of you long before you arrived here. It is what brought you to this company and what continues to drive the work you do every day.
Together, we have created something far greater than any of us could have imagined or achieved on our own. That is the secret to our success. We bring out the best in one another. We support one another. We have left a mark that has changed the world, as Steve said, because of who we are and what we believe, because of what we value and how we see the world. How lucky we are. How lucky I am.
As you know, I am not leaving Apple. However, I am stepping back from a role that I have loved deeply. I will miss this job in ways I can only begin to imagine, even though I feel completely at peace with this decision. I will miss leading and being alongside you every step of the way, even though I am completely comfortable handing the reins to someone as brilliant, extraordinary, and capable as John. Few people understand what it takes to build world-changing products like John does, and I am incredibly excited about his leadership.
I hope you know how much I appreciate you and what an honor it has been for me to be your CEO. Most importantly, I hope you will continue to be proud to be part of this extraordinary place we call Apple and always give it your best. When we bring our whole selves to this work, caring for one another and for the people we serve, there is no limit to the meaningful change we can make.
I can’t wait to see you in my new role at Apple Park and around the world.
With everything I have and everything I am, always
For you,
Tim
