NEW YORK –- David Neeleman, founder and chief executive officer of JetBlue Airways, has stepped down from the position. The company has named President/Chief Executive Officer Dave Barger to the added position of chief executive, effective immediately.

Neeleman will serve JetBlue as non-executive chairman of the board, the company stated in a release. He said he'll play a more strategic role in JetBlue.

Neeleman founded JetBlue as CEO in 1998 and became chairman in 2002. Barger joined the company in August 1998 as president.

In a prepared statement, Neeleman said, "This is a natural evolution of our leadership structure as JetBlue continues to grow. As chairman of the board of directors, I will focus on developing JetBlue's long-term vision and strategy and how we can continue to be a preferred product in a commodity business."

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