WASHINGTON — Clay Mowry, the longtime president of Arianespace’s U.S. subsidiary, is stepping down from the European launch services provider to join Blue Origin.

Wiener Kernisan — vice president of sales and marketing for Washington-based Arianespace Inc. — will succeed succeed Mowry as Arianespace Inc. president Sept. 26, according to an Arianespace press release.

The company’s chairman and CEO, Stephane Israel, also shared the news via Twitter.

Happy to announce that Wiener Kernisan has been promoted to President of our U.S. subsidiary https://t.co/yfIyOK1M7W pic.twitter.com/QE2g9KVRw8 — Stéphane Israël (@arianespaceceo) September 16, 2016

Thank you for 15 years of service leading #Arianespace, Inc, @ClayMowry. All the best in your new endeavors! — Stéphane Israël (@arianespaceceo) September 16, 2016

Blue Origin, as of mid-day Sept. 16, had not issued a statement about hiring Mowry, but word spread fast throughout the space industry that the well-connected former director of the Satellite Industry Association was going to work for Jeff Bezos’ space venture.

Mowry subtly acknowledged his new gig with winking reference to Blue Origin’s logo: