(Reuters) - Disney Entertainment and ESPN ( DIS ) Chief Technology Officer Aaron LaBerge would step down from the position and join gaming and sports media firm Penn Entertainment ( PENN ), according to a memo seen by Reuters on Monday.

LaBerge, who has spent more than 20 years at Walt Disney Co ( DIS ), will assume a similar role at Penn, effective July 1.

"This was a personal decision, driven by the needs of my family," according to his letter attached with the memo.

Walt Disney's ( DIS ) ESPN ( DIS ) and Penn had agreed in August last year to jointly launch a sports betting business under the brand ESPN BET.

"I plan to use my experience from Disney ( DIS ) and ESPN ( DIS ) to help make ESPN BET an essential piece of the sports fan experience," LaBerge was quoted as saying in a separate press release from Penn.

According to the memo, Chris Lawson, EVP content platforms and operations at Disney Entertainment and ESPN ( DIS ), would serve as the interim tech executive while the company looks for a permanent replacement for LaBerge.