Mike Vernal, the search executive of Facebook Inc left the company and joined Sequoia Capital, a joint venture capital firm. He was formerly in charge of the social media giant's search and developer products.
Vernal worked with Facebook for eight years as vice president of research and reported directly to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of the company before his jump to Sequoia. The Menlo Park, CA-based firm said it has no intention of filling up the position vacated by Vernal.
Its product teams are expected to operate under the leadership of their individual heads. Meanwhile, Vernal joins Sequoia as a partner and will be focused on early stage startups.
"Mike Vernal has been an integral part of the Facebook team," the social media giant said in a statement. "While we're sad to lose him, we're happy for him to take the next step in his career and wish him all the best," added the statement.
A report in Re/code indicated that Vernal has been active as an angel investor, financially supporting "friends and friends of friends."
His new venture firm is known for its investments in Google and Apple and has also invested money in Facebook's most vital and expensive acquisitions - WhatsApp, and Instagram.
"One of the most important things I've learned at Facebook is that a small team of people with vision and drive can change the world," wrote Vernal in a Facebook post. "While I'm sad to leave Facebook, I'm excited to join Sequoia and work with a new wave of bold, driven, and visionary entrepreneurs," his post added.
Vernal's resignation came after a week of the social media giant's annual developer conference held in San Francisco. In the conference, the 2,500 attendees were given a preview of what Facebook intends to do in the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, Vernal will be the first partner to join Sequoia since Michael Goguen, a longtime partner left the venture firm probably due to a lawsuit filed by an exotic dancer.
