Satellite television pioneer Charlie Ergen is stepping down as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Dish Network Corp., the company announced May 16. Ergen, who also is the chairman of EchoStar Corp., will stay on as Dish’s chairman.

Joseph Clayton, former chairman and CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., will replace Ergen as Dish’s president and CEO.

“Joe is a 38-year veteran of the consumer electronics, telecommunications and satellite communications industries and I am pleased to have him lead DISH Network as president and CEO,” Ergen said in a statement.

Clayton served as Sirius Satellite Radio’s chairman from November 2004 through July 2008. He was the company’s CEO from November 2001 through November 2004. Prior to that, he was president of Global Crossing North America.