Pete DeJoy, who has stepped in as the interim CEO in place of Andy Byron, showed an intriguing reaction to comments made by a former staff member about Byron’s situation.
In a LinkedIn post, Zachary Hensley, who served as Vice President of Astronomer Technology and Operations from 2019 to 2024, acknowledged his amusement, stating, “Yes, I laughed at the memes.” But he also expressed a conflicted sentiment: “I know that astronomers are a team of clever, kind, driven people, doing remarkable work.”
Hensley mentioned that while he enjoyed the memes and had shared “more than a few,” he experienced a mix of pride, nostalgia, and whiplash regarding the entire episode.
His message seemed to resonate with DeJoy, who “liked” the post. Hensley concluded his thoughts by urging his former colleagues, saying, “Keep building. You’ve got this.”
It appears that the bond among former colleagues remains strong. Hensley shared on LinkedIn his enthusiasm for DeJoy’s appointment as interim CEO, calling him “amazing” and expressing excitement about his leadership.
DeJoy has been with Astronomer for eight years, previously serving as Chief Product Officer, Vice President of Products, and is also a co-founder.
The company confirmed DeJoy’s appointment late Friday, following the suspension of Byron and Chief Human Resources Officer Christine Cabot. This occurred after a viral incident at a Coldplay concert where both were captured on the Jumbotron.
Byron’s personal life drew attention as he had recently married Megan Kerrigan Byron. Cabot also has a complex personal history, having divorced her first husband in 2022 but reportedly remains married to Private Rum CEO Andrew Cabot.
Neither Byron nor Cabot have commented on the incidents leading to their suspensions, but the Astronomer issued a statement indicating a formal investigation into the matter.
The company emphasized its commitment to cultural values, stating that leadership is expected to maintain high standards of behavior and accountability, and further updates would be provided as the investigation unfolds.
Lastly, Alyssa Stoddard’s involvement was also noted, with speculation about her presence in the viral video. The Astronomer firmly denied any connection between her and the video’s content, emphasizing that such rumors were unfounded.
