Interim CEO Responds to Viral Coldplay Concert Incident Involving Company Leaders

Pete DeJoy, appointed temporarily as the acting CEO of Astronomer, recently reacted to a social media post by a former executive that humorously acknowledged he had shared and laughed at memes about company CEO Andy Byron’s personal scandal. DeJoy showed approval by liking the post, which was written by Zachary Hensley, who served as Vice President of Technology and Operations at Astronomer until 2024.

Hensley expressed mixed feelings about the incident, stating, “I’ve shared and laughed at the memes, but I also recognize that Astronomer represents a team of talented and dedicated individuals. I’ll always support their efforts.” In his post, he reflected on the emotional whirlwind of pride and nostalgia tied to his time at the company, emphasizing that it is more than a single moment or person.

Hensley concluded his message with a heartfelt note to current and former colleagues: “Love you all. Keep building. You’ve got this.” DeJoy’s acknowledgment suggests he resonates with these sentiments.

DeJoy’s supportive gesture came amid internal upheaval, as CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot were suspended after being caught on camera at a Coldplay concert engaging in a cozy moment that went viral online. The clip showed them visibly hiding in shame when their moment on the jumbotron was recognized. Byron, who is married, has since removed his last name from social media profiles, while Cabot, previously divorced, appears to have married Andrew Cabot, CEO of Privateer Rum, with whom she shares a residence in New Hampshire.

The company issued a statement confirming they have launched a formal investigation, maintaining that Byron has not issued any public comments regarding the situation. They emphasized their commitment to the organization’s core values and accountability.