Andy Byron, the CEO of the technology firm Astronomer Inc., has resigned from his position after a video of him embracing a woman, who was not his wife, at a Coldplay concert went viral. The company announced the resignation on Saturday, stating that its leaders “are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”
Byron’s resignation was offered and accepted by the board of directors. He had been placed on leave on Friday, with Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy stepping in as interim CEO.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts. Byron and Kristin Cabot, Astronomer’s chief people officer, were caught on a jumbo screen, in an embrace that quickly garnered widespread attention online. Upon realizing they were being broadcast, Byron reportedly ducked out of sight, while Cabot covered her face and spun around. Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin playfully remarked on stage, “either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”
A spokesperson for Astronomer confirmed that Byron and Cabot were the only employees of the firm captured on camera. However, the spokesperson did not comment on Cabot’s current job status.
Internet users swiftly identified Byron and Cabot through their social media profiles, leading to the company’s subsequent confirmation of their identities and the internal investigation that preceded Byron’s resignation. The incident has sparked broader conversations about privacy, public exposure, and the intersection of personal conduct and professional roles, especially for high-ranking executives.
