Pete DeJoy, co-founder of the data and AI company Astronomer, has been named interim CEO after the sudden resignation of the previous CEO, Andy Byron. DeJoy released his first public statement following his appointment, addressing recent events that put the company in the spotlight.
The situation unfolded during a Coldplay concert in Boston, where a video went viral showing Byron and the company’s Chief People Officer on the "kiss cam." The clip, which captured them awkwardly trying to avoid the camera, spread quickly online. Although meant to be light-hearted, the moment led to unexpected public attention and eventually Byron’s resignation.
DeJoy officially stepped in over the weekend. In his statement, he described the turn of events as surreal but also acknowledged the opportunity to lead Astronomer during a critical moment. He described the company as one that began by helping businesses manage complex data workflows and has since grown to support major systems in industries like sports and autonomous vehicles.
He reflected on the challenges Astronomer has faced over the years, from funding difficulties and internal changes to scaling during the pandemic. Despite these obstacles, DeJoy highlighted the dedication of the team that stayed committed through it all. He praised employees who work hard behind the scenes, solve tough problems, and genuinely care about the success of the company and its mission.
DeJoy emphasized that people are Astronomer's greatest strength. He said the company’s foundation remains strong, especially through its deep ties to the open-source Apache Airflow community. That foundation, he added, continues to guide their progress and build trust with clients.
In his message, DeJoy promised to prioritize the well-being of the company’s staff and the trust of its customers. He reassured partners and clients that the team is focused, and that their mission—supporting organizations with powerful data tools for the AI era—is still intact. He also expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their hard work and resilience.
“Thank you for sticking with us,” he said, addressing both employees and customers. “We won’t let you down.”
Despite the unusual media attention, DeJoy made it clear that Astronomer remains committed to its long-term goals. The company plans to keep building and improving its DataOps platform, which helps organizations manage data pipelines efficiently in the age of artificial intelligence.
As Astronomer turns the page on a strange and unexpected chapter, Pete DeJoy is stepping into leadership with a steady hand. His message was one of optimism, determination, and a clear focus on the future. The company may have become a household name overnight for the wrong reasons, but under DeJoy’s leadership, it aims to be remembered for the right ones.