Yahoo! co-founder Jerry Yang resigns from board

The co-founder of Yahoo!, Jerry Yang, has resigned from the company's board of directors, 17 years after starting the company in conjunction with David Filo.

Here is a transcript of a letter sent from Yang to board chairman, Roy Bostock, reprinted in Yahoo!'s statement:

"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.

Yang himself served as CEO from June 2007 to January 2009, when he was fired and replaced. His successor, Carol Bartz, was also fired after a short time at the helm.

Yang has also resigned from the boards of Yahoo! Japan and Alibaba.