Andy Byron, the CEO of Astronomer, has resigned just days after a video of him at a Coldplay concert went viral. The video showed Byron getting cozy with a colleague, which raised eyebrows and led to significant backlash.
On Saturday, the company announced his resignation on social media, stating that Byron did not meet their standards for conduct and accountability. The statement emphasized that Astronomer values a strong culture and expects its leaders to set a good example.
In the viral clip, Byron and his colleague, who is the Chief People Officer, were caught on the kiss cam. When they realized they were on camera, Byron quickly pulled away, and both appeared embarrassed. Coldplay’s lead singer, Chris Martin, even joked about the situation, suggesting they might be having an affair or were just shy.
Following the incident, Astronomer launched an investigation and dismissed rumors that another employee was present at the concert. The Board of Directors has accepted Byron’s resignation and will begin searching for a new CEO. Meanwhile, Pete DeJoy, the company’s co-founder and Chief Product Officer, will step in as interim CEO.
This incident highlights the challenges leaders face in maintaining professional conduct, especially in the age of social media where private moments can quickly become public.