Pete DeJoy has taken over as Astronomer’s interim CEO following the previous chief executive, Andy Byron, stepping down after a viral kiss cam controversy. The controversy between Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot during a Coldplay gig in Massachusetts sparked online rumours and a company review.
As of July 19, the Board of Directors approved Byron’s resignation and transferred interim management to DeJoy, Astronomer’s co-founder and Chief Product Officer. Although Cabot continues in her position, the spotlight now is on DeJoy, the low-key executive who is up to the task of reviving stability at the AI company.
Founding Force at Astronomer
Pete DeJoy founded Astronomer in 2017, spearheading the company’s initial growth. The Cincinnati company focused on simplifying data infrastructure with open-source technology at the time. Astronomer built its signature data orchestration platform, Astro on top of Apache Airflow over time.
Pete DeJoy played a key role in expanding the platform and monetizing its initial products. He filled several roles within departments and played a significant part in influencing product development from the beginning.
Education and Career Path
Pete DeJoy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physics and chemistry from Bowdoin College, a liberal arts college in Maine. Although he has a science background, he was attracted to tech innovation and entrepreneurship.
In January 2023, Astronomer appointed him Vice President of Product. By February 2025, he was made Chief Product Officer, a sign of increasing prominence in the company leadership organization.
Pete DeJoy wrote on LinkedIn that he “did whatever it took” to introduce Astronomer’s first products and create a successful business. His history is consistent with a practical, flexible style of leadership.
Private Life in Brooklyn
Pete DeJoy has a low-key public presence. He resides in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, with his wife. He scarcely posts personal news online and has kept family life completely off-limits throughout his career.
What’s Next for DeJoy and Astronomer?
There is no indication yet if DeJoy will be made permanent as CEO. Astronomer has only announced his temporary appointment and reported that an official executive search process is ongoing.
The firm, in its formal X statement, indicated that it would “provide further information as is appropriate over the coming days.” In the meantime, DeJoy presides over a company still in recovery mode, coping with both product momentum and the reputational damage of the Byron-Cabot debacle. As Astronomer attempts to look forward, Pete DeJoy finds himself at the crosshairs of crisis and opportunity.
