Astronomer boss Andy Byron resigns post Coldplay viral video. Who is Pete DeJoy, the interim CEO? A look at his education, career

Andy Byron, who served as the Chief Executive Officer of Astronomer, a data operations firm, has officially stepped down from his leadership role. This decision follows an incident that rapidly spread across social media, where Byron and the company's head of human resources, Kristin Cabot, were seen engaging in a moment of physical intimacy during a Coldplay concert. The public fallout and internal discussions that followed ultimately led to his resignation, as reported by the BBC.

Pete DeJoy Takes Over as Interim CEO

Astronomer has appointed Pete DeJoy, its co-founder and chief product officer, as the acting CEO in the wake of Byron’s departure. According to his LinkedIn page, DeJoy is currently based in Brooklyn, New York, and has had a long-standing relationship with the organization, spanning over eight years. As of February 2025, he has been operating in a full-time capacity as CPO.

Before that, DeJoy spearheaded the global product division as senior vice president, where he led a team of accomplished professionals responsible for building the firm’s product strategy. His journey at Astronomer began with product development, and he has officially been a part of the founding group since August 2017.

DeJoy previously worked with Venture for America, a nonprofit fellowship program initiated by Andrew Yang, where he served as a Fellow in Detroit in November 2016. His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and physics from Bowdoin College.

The Viral Moment That Sparked Controversy

The controversy erupted earlier this week at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. While attending a Coldplay concert, Byron and Cabot were caught on the stadium’s kiss cam in a seemingly affectionate moment, with Byron wrapping his arms around Cabot from behind. The video quickly made rounds on social media, intensifying public interest and triggering internal investigations.

The New York Post confirmed that Byron is married to Megan Kerrigan. Records from Massachusetts courts reveal that Cabot ended her previous marriage to Kenneth Thornby in 2022. Although unverified, she may now be married to Andrew Cabot, CEO of Privateer Rum, as both are listed as co-owners of a residence in New Hampshire.