A longtime member of the Columbus Blue Jackets' front office is moving to the Western Conference.

Assistant general manager Chris MacFarland, who's been with the club since 1999, is leaving the Blue Jackets in order to accept the same job with the Colorado Avalanche, according to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post-Dispatch.

"Chris MacFarland has been an important member of this organization for many years and his contributions to our hockey club have been significant," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement.

"He has been presented with an exciting opportunity outside our organization and while we are sorry to see him leave, we thank Chris for his years of service, hard work and commitment to the Blue Jackets and wish him and his family all the best in the future."

MacFarland has served as assistant GM since 2008, and his departure signals a further shift away from the previous regime and into the John Davidson/Kekalainen era.

He takes a wealth of experience with him to Colorado, and his efforts with Columbus's minor-league club helped carve out his place in the hockey world.

MacFarland was mostly charged with running #AHL rosters w Syraucse and Springfield. His reputation in AHL circles was absolutely sterling. — Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) May 18, 2015

He'll now work under Avalanche GM Joe Sakic to help that team get back to the postseason after a disappointing 2014-15.