Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Astronomer Interim CEO Responds To Coldplay Kiss Cam Controversy After Andy Byron Resigns
Astronomer interim CEO Pete DeJoy has subtly weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding former CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot, who became an instant meme after they were spotted canoodling during a Coldplay concert.
DeJoy’s simple like was seen by netizens as a subtle sign that Astronomer’s leadership is not just finding humor in its former CEO’s controversial actions. The company’s leadership is also aware that its previous chief executive really dropped the ball.
Highlights
- Pete DeJoy, Astronomer's interim CEO, "liked" a viral LinkedIn post reacting to the scandal involving former CEO Andy Byron.
- Ex Astronomer executive Zachary Hensley admitted to sharing memes but praised the team's culture and resilience.
- Andy Byron has tendered his resignation from Astronomer, and the Board has accepted.
RELATED:
Pete DeJoy’s quiet response suggests alignment with ex-executive’s perspective
Image credits: Airflow Summit
Pete DeJoy did not issue a direct comment about the controversy, though he did like a LinkedInpost from ex-VP of technology and operations, Zachary Hensley.
Hensley worked at Astronomer from 2019 to 2024. While he formally served as the company’s vice president of technology and operations, Hensley stated that he wore several hats during his time with the startup.
Chris Martin’s reaction after the exposé! 😂 pic.twitter.com/4jPp79wN47
— Nomadic Musings (@midwaythoughts_) July 18, 2025
The former Astronomer executive admitted that he has found humor in the memes about the controversy, and he has even shared a few of them himself.
“I’ve seen the memes (and shared more than a few), reconnected with folks I haven’t talked to in a couple of years, and felt a strange mix of pride, nostalgia, and whiplash… So, yes, I’ve laughed at the memes,” he wrote in his LinkedIn post.
Image credits: Linkedin
Hensley also noted that Astronomer is so much more than the meme-worthy actions of its former CEO.
“I also know Astronomer is more than one moment or one person. It’s a team of smart, kind, driven people doing incredible work. And I’ll always be rooting for them,” he wrote.
“To the Astronomer crew—past and present—I love y’all. Keep going. Keep building. You’ve got this.”
As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.
Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and… pic.twitter.com/aTTUhnnyVz
— Astronomer (@astronomerio) July 19, 2025
DeJoy’s reaction to the former executive’s post suggests that much of Hensley’s post resonated with him personally. DeJoy and Hensley appear to share a close professional bond, with the latter celebrating the former’s promotion to Astronomer’s interim CEO.
“Pete DeJoy is amazing. I’m so excited for him. Love you Petey,” Hensley wrote in a separate LinkedIn post.
Image credits: Linkedin/Pete DeJoy
Netizens have responded with amusement at the recent developments in the controversy, with some stating that Astronomer is probably grateful for all the media attention.
“All the publicity astronomer is getting is priceless. They need to drop a thank you note to Byron’s wife,” one commenter wrote.
Astronomer’s official statements confirm an investigation and a leadership shakeup
Image credits: Linkedin/Pete DeJoy
Astronomer confirmed toPage Six that DeJoy is now serving as interim CEO.
“Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy is currently serving as interim CEO,” an Astronomer spokesperson said. “We will share more details as appropriate in the coming days.”
Image credits: Linkedin/Zachary Hensley
Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot were both temporarily suspended after they were caught canoodling on theColdplay kiss cam in Boston.
The pair, who were seen hugging and reacting way too nervously once they realized they were on the jumbotron,instantly went viral and they were quickly identified by social media users.
Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy is currently serving as interim CEO given Andy Byron has been placed on leave.
We will share more details as appropriate in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/VfgWPnfycl
— Astronomer (@astronomerio) July 19, 2025
Netizens discovered that Byron is married to Megan Kerrigan Byron, who has since removed his last name and deactivated her social media accounts.
Cabot, per Massachusetts court records, divorced her first husband in 2022, per Page Six.
Currently, she appears to be married to Privateer Rum CEO Andrew Cabot, with whom she co-owns a house in New Hampshire.
Image credits: Linkedin/Zachary Hensley
Neither Byron nor Cabot have publicly addressed thesituation.
Astronomer, for its part, announced on its official LinkedInpage that Byron has officially resigned as its chief executive, according to theHindustan Times.
Image credits: Tiktok/instaagraace
“As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.
“Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO,” the company wrote in its post.
Netizens reacted to the interim CEO’s LinkedIn like with some amusement
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
BoredPangolin 4 months ago
I find people a little bit too smug about this story on social media. How come so few people take a step back and worry about the break of privacy, the gross overreaction and lynching this story has caused? We don't need big brother, PEOPLE are there to check on you at a public event, share incriminating (yet not criminal) photos of you and participate in the mass ridiculing of you. I can't imagine the shock and shame of the spouse of both. Both the CEO and the woman lost their job, whatever their qualification was and however irrelevant their private life is to their skills at work. Basically, we made it possible to destroy a person we don't know by just taking and sharing footage of private moments. Yep, cheating is BAD, yet last time I checked study stats, 1 out of 5 persons admit having done it at least once so if all of them lost their job at the same time, or got exposed & shamed world-wide, how interesting would it get? Let alone the slim chance they are NOT having an affair...
Ginger Downing 4 months ago
Any company that has titles like "Chief People Officer," "Head Cost Cutter," or "Head Thinker" deserves to be shot down to Earth and reality.
ghtsv5bsvt 4 months ago
While I’m thrilled that it’s finally not just the woman who faces the consequences- they both need to take responsibility for their actions.
BoredPangolin 4 months ago
I find people a little bit too smug about this story on social media. How come so few people take a step back and worry about the break of privacy, the gross overreaction and lynching this story has caused? We don't need big brother, PEOPLE are there to check on you at a public event, share incriminating (yet not criminal) photos of you and participate in the mass ridiculing of you. I can't imagine the shock and shame of the spouse of both. Both the CEO and the woman lost their job, whatever their qualification was and however irrelevant their private life is to their skills at work. Basically, we made it possible to destroy a person we don't know by just taking and sharing footage of private moments. Yep, cheating is BAD, yet last time I checked study stats, 1 out of 5 persons admit having done it at least once so if all of them lost their job at the same time, or got exposed & shamed world-wide, how interesting would it get? Let alone the slim chance they are NOT having an affair...
Ginger Downing 4 months ago
Any company that has titles like "Chief People Officer," "Head Cost Cutter," or "Head Thinker" deserves to be shot down to Earth and reality.
ghtsv5bsvt 4 months ago
While I’m thrilled that it’s finally not just the woman who faces the consequences- they both need to take responsibility for their actions.
You May Like Woman Sees Husband's Coworker Flirting With Him, Deals With It In The Most Petty But Brilliant Way “Not Enough For A Divorce”: Woman Realizes She’s Her Husband’s Secret, Still Wants To Stay "Don't Expect To Be Employed By The End Of The Day”: People Give Vengeful Employee A Reality Check
Gabija Palšytė
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Viktorija Ošikaitė
Related on Bored Panda
10
4