John Couch

John Couch is a pioneering figure in both the technology and education sectors—one of Apple’s earliest employees whose leadership and vision helped shape personal computing’s relationship with learning and creativity.

Couch’s journey began as one of the first fifty computer science undergraduates at the University of California, Berkeley. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and spent time in the PhD program before choosing to enter industry.

In 1978, Steve Jobs persuaded him to join Apple as Director of New Products, making Couch the company’s 54th employee. He rose to become Apple’s first Vice President of Software, then later took the helm of the Apple Lisa division (one of the earliest personal computers with a graphical user interface) as General Manager.

In 1984, Couch left Apple to take on a wholly different challenge: he took over operations of a Christian school in Solana Beach, California, guiding it through financial difficulties and leveraging his technical and leadership skills in the educational sphere. Over the years, he also held roles such as Executive in Residence at venture firms and CEO of biotech software company DoubleTwist (formerly Pangea Systems).

In the early 2000s, Steve Jobs called Couch back to Apple to lead a newly created role: Vice President of Education—a position he held until his retirement in 2019. Under his leadership, Apple deepened its commitment to combining technology, content, and pedagogy to transform how students learn.

Beyond his Apple legacy, Couch has continued to shape thought leadership in education. In 2018, he co-authored Rewiring Education: How Technology Can Unlock Every Student’s Potential, which gained particular traction in China. He also penned his memoir, My Life at Apple: And the Steve I Knew, published in 2021.

In retirement, Couch has channeled his energy into writing, public speaking, investing in ed-tech startups, and community engagement. He is also the owner of Eden Estate Wines, and has been involved in producing music via his ministry initiative Eden Inspirations.

John Couch’s life reflects a rare combination of technical mastery, educational vision, and an abiding belief in technology’s power to uplift lives.