Jerry Yang said Tuesday he will pursue “other interests” outside of Yahoo! on Tuesday, announcing his resignation from the company’s board of directors and all other positions at the company, effective today.

The 17-year co-founder of the company said in a released statement he was “enthusiastic” about the recent appointment of Scott Thompson as the new CEO of the company.

Yang served as the company’s CEO from June 2007 to November 2008, when he stepped down.

Below is his full statement to Yahoo’s board of directors, according to a news release.

“My time at Yahoo!, from its founding to the present, has encompassed some of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life. However, the time has come for me to pursue other interests outside of Yahoo! As I leave the company I co-founded nearly 17 years ago, I am enthusiastic about the appointment of Scott Thompson as Chief Executive Officer and his ability, along with the entire Yahoo! leadership team, to guide Yahoo! into an exciting and successful future.”