According to an internal memo, Aaron LaBerge, Disney Entertainment and ESPN’s Chief Technology Officer, is stepping down from his position.

LaBerge will be assuming the role of Chief Technology Officer at PENN Entertainment, the operator of ESPN Bet, the licensed online sportsbook of the sports media giant. In his new role, he will spearhead technology strategy as a senior executive in the company’s interactive division. LaBerge cited personal reasons related to his family for his departure and will remain with Disney until June, as per the memo.

Throughout his tenure, LaBerge played a pivotal role in shaping Disney’s streaming services and, recently, in integrating advertising into Disney+. He also led efforts to amalgamate Hulu and Disney+ into a single streaming application, which was launched last month.

At ESPN, LaBerge was instrumental in the development of the company’s streaming services, including ESPN+ and the upcoming sports streaming application, co-owned by Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox, along with ESPN’s flagship streaming service slated for a 2025 launch.

LaBerge’s departure adds to a string of exits by seasoned Disney executives in recent years, including former CEO Bob Chapek, former streaming head Kevin Mayer, ex-finance chief Christine McCarthy, former Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn, former Disney general counsel Alan Braverman, former head of communications Zenia Mucha, and former president of Walt Disney Pictures, Sean Bailey.

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman expressed gratitude for LaBerge’s contributions in an internal note, highlighting that his move to PENN Entertainment will ensure continued collaboration for the growth and success of ESPN BET and their interactive business.

LaBerge’s bio credits him with setting the vision and strategic direction for Disney’s technology use, enabling storytelling and innovation, driving business, and enhancing consumer experiences with entertainment and sports content.

A search for LaBerge’s successor is already underway, with Chris Lawson, Disney’s current executive vice president of content operations and one of LaBerge’s direct reports, set to assume the role on an interim basis upon LaBerge’s departure.

LaBerge initially joined Disney in the late 1990s as part of the company’s acquisition of Starwave, a company founded by Paul Allen that collaborated with ESPN before Disney’s full acquisition in 1998.