After Viral Kiss Cam Forces CEO’s Resignation, Astronomer’s New Leader Pledges to Move Forward
The CEO of data-tech firm Astronomer, Andy Byron, has resigned after a video of him and the company’s human resources chief, Kristin Cabot, went viral last week. The two were filmed by a Jumbotron camera while cuddling at a Coldplay concert in Boston.
The clip, which captured the pair ducking to hide their faces, gained widespread attention after Coldplay singer Chris Martin quipped, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” The video quickly circulated on social media, prompting Astronomer’s board to launch an internal investigation, stating the incident was inconsistent with company values.
Byron and Cabot were placed on leave before the company announced Byron’s resignation in a LinkedIn post. The board confirmed it has begun a search for a permanent replacement.
A Company Veteran Takes the Helm
Stepping in to lead the company through this unexpected transition is co-founder and company veteran Pete DeJoy, who will serve as interim CEO. DeJoy helped establish Astronomer in 2017 and has been central to its growth, overseeing core products like the Apache Airflow platform.
Having previously served as Chief Product Officer and Vice President of Product, the Bowdoin College graduate has been with the firm for eight years. His deep knowledge of the company, which achieved a “unicorn” valuation of over $1 billion in 2022, positions him to guide the organization during the upheaval.
Addressing the “Surreal” Spotlight
In his first public statement as interim CEO, DeJoy addressed the recent events in a LinkedIn post titled “Moving Forward at Astronomer.” He acknowledged the situation has been “unusual and surreal” for the team.
“The events of the past few days have received a level of media attention that few companies…ever encounter,” DeJoy wrote, noting that while he would not have wished for the circumstances, “Astronomer is now a household name.”
He emphasized the company’s resilience, stating that Astronomer has “never shied away from challenges.” He praised the staff’s dedication to solving difficult problems and doing things “the right way,” reaffirming that the company’s mission is ultimately “bigger than any one moment.”
DeJoy concluded his message with direct words of thanks for his team’s “resilience & commitment to building something great.” He also extended his gratitude to the company’s wider community and customer base, stating, “Thank you for your trust. We won’t let you down.”