Apple has hired Nate Gatten, a longtime American Airlines Group executive, as its new vice president of government affairs, according to a Bloomberg News report.
Gatten will start in the role on August 31st, Apple Senior Vice President and General Counsel Jennifer Newstead said in an internal memo viewed by Bloomberg News. Kate Adams, the previous legal chief who had been serving as senior vice president of government affairs, will stay on in an advisory capacity until October 1st.
The hire comes as Apple navigates complex regulatory, antitrust, trade, and policy challenges. Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the company specifically sought someone who could align with the Trump administration. Gatten, a Republican, is expected to work closely with Tim Cook in the position.
Gatten joined American Airlines in 2017 as senior vice president of global government affairs and more recently served as executive vice president overseeing American Eagle, corporate real estate, and government affairs. He previously led global government relations at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he represented the bank before Congress, the White House, and international bodies. Earlier roles included positions at Fannie Mae focused on Republican members of Congress and work for Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah) and the Senate Banking Committee.
His real estate experience may also prove useful as Apple continues expanding its retail presence and other operations. American Airlines announced his departure around the same time as the Apple news.
The appointment occurs amid broader leadership changes at Apple. Cook is scheduled to step down as CEO on September 1st, with hardware chief John Ternus taking over; Cook will remain as executive chairman and is expected to continue engaging with policymakers worldwide.
Until last year, Lisa Jackson had led government affairs alongside environmental, policy, and social initiatives after joining from the Obama administration’s EPA.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s decision to bring in a seasoned government-affairs professional with deep experience navigating complex regulatory environments and bipartisan Washington relationships marks a thoughtful evolution of the role. Versus previous leadership, the current appointment prioritizes specialized expertise tailored to today’s multifaceted challenges in trade, antitrust, and international relations. By hiring Gatten, Apple has taken a measured and strategic step forward.
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