Astronomer's New CEO Makes First Public Remarks Post-Byron Exit

Leadership Transition at Astronomer Amid Controversy

Following the resignation of Andy Byron, the former CEO of Astronomer, Pete DeJoy has taken on the role of interim CEO. This change comes after a scandal involving Byron and Kristin Cabot, the head of HR at the company, which came to light during a Coldplay concert. The incident, captured on the "kiss cam," sparked widespread attention and led to significant public scrutiny.

Byron and Cabot were seen in an intimate moment while attending the concert, with both being married to other individuals and having children. The event was broadcast on the Jumbotron at Gillette Stadium, prompting reactions from attendees and the media. Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin, humorously remarked on the situation, noting that either the pair were involved in an affair or they were simply shy. Despite the embarrassment, the incident has had a notable impact on the company's public image.

In the wake of the scandal, DeJoy expressed a positive outlook regarding the increased media attention. In a LinkedIn post, he acknowledged that the events of the past few days have brought a level of visibility that is rare for startups, particularly those in the data and AI space. While he would not have wished for such circumstances, DeJoy emphasized that the attention has helped Astronomer become more recognized.

DeJoy highlighted his deep commitment to the company, stating that he has dedicated his professional life to its growth. He reflected on the challenges the company has faced over the years, including starting a software business in Cincinnati, Ohio, and navigating through financial difficulties when their bank collapsed. The company also managed to scale from 30 to 300 employees during the pandemic, all while operating remotely.

"From starting a software company in Cincinnati, Ohio, to keeping the lights on through the collapse of the bank that held all our cash, to scaling from 30 to 300 people during a global pandemic that demanded we do it all without ever being in the same room," DeJoy said. "And yet, we’re still here."

He emphasized that the company's resilience stems from its team, who are dedicated to solving complex problems and maintaining high standards. The trust of customers in handling their most ambitious data and AI projects is another key factor in the company's continued success.

DeJoy, a graduate of Bowdoin College, played a significant role in establishing the data company in 2017. He was promoted to senior vice president in 2023 and later became chief product officer in February. As he steps into his new role, DeJoy is committed to supporting the team and delivering value to customers.

"Astronomer’s foundation remains strong, built around the thriving Apache Airflow community," he stated. "Our opportunity to build a DataOps platform for the age of AI remains massive. And our story is very much still being written."

According to reports, Astronomer has raised over $350 million from outside investors since its founding a decade ago. This includes nearly $100 million raised just months ago, highlighting the company's continued growth and appeal to investors.