Astronomer CEO Andy Byron has officially resigned after that viral video of him cozying up to Head of HR Kristin Cabot at a Coldplay concert made the rounds online.
For now, Astronomer co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy will step in as interim CEO. The company released a statement on X (formerly Known as Twitter) late Friday saying:
“As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”
“As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” the company said in a statement Saturday.
They followed up with another post confirming Byron’s resignation had been accepted by the board.
As for Kristin Cabot? No official word yet, but she’s reportedly been placed on administrative leave.
This wouldn’t be the first time a CEO has lost their job over a workplace relationship. Just last year, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw lost his job over a consensual affair with his Chief of Legal. And remember McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook in 2019? Same thing.
My Thoughts
But here’s what’s funny to me: if that Coldplay concert was actually a work event (as some are claiming), and team members were there, doesn’t that mean this relationship wasn’t much of a secret to begin with? Like… weren’t they already out in the open before the rest of us saw it on the kiss cam?
Why are they acting like the internet cracked a mystery that wasn’t already circulating in the office group chat?
I don’t know. What do you think?
The comments are open.
