
The CEO of US-based tech company Astronomer, Andy Byron, has resigned following a viral video showing him embracing a colleague at a Coldplay concert. The company confirmed Byron’s resignation in a statement, emphasizing that their leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability.
According to the company, “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.” This statement was made after Byron tendered his resignation, which was accepted by the company’s Board of Directors. The incident occurred during a Coldplay concert in Boston, Massachusetts, where Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot appeared on the venue’s Jumbotron screen during a “kiss cam” segment, sparking widespread speculation about the nature of their relationship.
The viral video showed Byron and Cabot sharing an intimate embrace before attempting to hide their faces when they realized they were on screen. Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin joked about the moment, saying, “Uh-oh, what? Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” The video quickly spread online, with many users discussing the implications of a workplace relationship between the two executives. One user commented, “The craziest thing about the Astronomer CEO cheating scandal is it was the HR lady. The person who would warn you against fraternizing with coworkers”.
Following the incident, Astronomer launched an internal investigation and placed both Byron and Cabot on administrative leave. Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy will serve as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement. The company reiterated its commitment to its core values and culture, stating, “While awareness of our company may have changed overnight, our product and our work for our customers have not”.
Astronomer emphasized its dedication to innovation in the DataOps and AI space, reassuring stakeholders that the incident would not affect their products and services. The company’s Board of Directors accepted Byron’s resignation and will begin searching for a new CEO. As the company navigates this transition, it will focus on maintaining the integrity of its workplace culture and upholding its values.