For years, I’ve been watching John Ternus at Apple events and thought he just carried himself like an Apple CEO. Rumors are increasingly pointing toward him as Tim Cook’s successor. In my mind, this fits for a few reasons:

• I think the next CEO will be someone already inside Apple.
• I think the next CEO will need to be a younger generation than the existing senior management.
• It needs to someone who can handle himself as the CEO of one of world largest companies, like John Ternus.

Apple has a deep bench. I’ve met lots of Apple executives over the years, dripping in competence. But John Turnus is the only one they seem to find a reason to put in front of the public at every chance. I’ll be surprised if, when Tim Cook decides to step down, it’s not Ternus.