App store GetJar announced that Ilja Laurs, its founder, is to stand down as CEO, as the company’s focus shifts to the US market for growth. He will be replaced by Chris Dury, the company’s current COO, who has been with the company for three years “leading products and operations.”

Dury is based at the company’s San Mateo headquarters, whereas Laurs lives in Lithuania. The former CEO will remain with the company as executive chairman, retaining a “full time operating role,” and spending time in the US each quarter.

In a statement, GetJar said that Dury was “instrumental in creating the company’s enormously successful GetJar Gold Program, which served as a model for free app distribution.” He has also led the creation of its virtual currency strategy which rewards developers and consumers for the creation and download of apps.

“GetJar is continuing to expand rapidly, but now a majority of our growth is occurring in the United States. We felt it was important for top leadership to be based there, and it was an easy decision to elevate Chris given his leadership and substantial contribution,” Laurs said.