One of Facebook's longest-serving executives, Tom Arrix, announced today that he's leaving the company.
Mr. Arrix joined Facebook in 2006 and was the company's VP-global marketing solutions for the U.S., leading the domestic sales team. Based in New York and a resident of Connecticut, he was previously VP-sales at Facebook, oversaw media strategy and managed ad inventory and operations for the East Coast sales team.
In a note on Facebook, Mr. Arrix noted that Facebook's user base has grown from 8 million to 1.2 billion during his seven-year tenure. He didn't announce a move to a new job, but rather said that he intended to spend the summer with his family.
"This was an incredibly difficult decision to make," wrote Mr. Arrix, a pedigreed digital ad executive who was a senior-VP at Univision Digital prior to joining Facebook, and a senior-VP at CBS Sportsline.com before that. "I feel strongly that the work I set out to take on here at FB is complete, we built the foundation for the future of our Ads business. And because of that, it's an ideal time for me to move on. I'm really excited to take some time but so energized to explore what's next to build."
Mr. Arrix isn't the only high-profile Facebook executive to depart of late. Earlier this month its former director of ad products Gokul Rajaram left to join Square as product-engineering lead.
Facebook's VP-global marketing solutions Carolyn Everson will fill Mr. Arrix's role until a replacement is hired, according to a spokesperson.
The company offered this statement about Mr. Arrix's departure: "Tom was an early and integral member of Facebook's global sales efforts. He leaves a great legacy at Facebook and we wish nothing but the best for him in the future."
