Astronomer's interim CEO, Pete DeJoy, made his first public statement since taking the role on Saturday, addressing the tech startup's sudden rise to prominence. CNBC reported that he credited a viral incident last week with transforming Astronomer into a widely recognized name.
The company faced unexpected scrutiny after former CEO Andy Byron resigned following the famous incident at a Coldplay concert in Boston on Wednesday, where his affair with the company's HR manager Kristin Cabot was exposed through a kiss-cam that appeared on the jumbotron. CNBC noted that Astronomer announced plans to find a new permanent CEO over the weekend.
In a LinkedIn post on Monday, DeJoy described the intense media focus, stating, "The events of the past few days have received a level of media attention that few companies – let alone startups in our small corner of the data and AI world – ever encounter." He called the spotlight unusual and surreal but acknowledged it elevated Astronomer's visibility.
At the concert, Byron was shown on a large screen embracing Chief People Officer Cabot, and when the two realized that they were captured on camera, their reaction – trying to hide the faces and crouch – became a sensation that eventually became a meme. According to CNBC, Byron, who is married with children, hid when he noticed the display. Coldplay's Chris Martin commented, "Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy." A concertgoer's video of the moment went viral online.
Having co-founded Astronomer in 2017 and served as chief product officer since early 2025, DeJoy reaffirmed his focus on the company's goals. CNBC highlighted his commitment to supporting employees and meeting customer needs.
The internet found out he's married and she knows 🙃 Imagine being caught having an affair by Coldplay 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/XtdQspLixO
— TONI TONE (@t0nit0ne) July 17, 2025
Astronomer raised $93 million in May, led by Bain Ventures with support from Salesforce Ventures and others. DeJoy emphasized the company's dedication, stating, "I'm stepping into this role with a wholehearted commitment to taking care of our people and delivering for our customers." He noted that Astronomer's journey continues to unfold.
The company develops Astro, an open-source platform for data operations. DeJoy stressed that clients entrust Astronomer with significant data and AI projects, adding that "we're here because the mission is bigger than any one moment."
