Andy Byron is an American business executive and computer programmer, known for his leadership roles in the enterprise software industry and, more recently, for his resignation from Astronomer following a viral incident.
Early Life & Education
Byron is an alumnus of Providence College, a Catholic liberal arts institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. While specific details of his degree are not widely publicized, his educational background laid the groundwork for his extensive career in technology and leadership.
Career Trajectory
Byron’s career is marked by a consistent ascent through leadership positions within the enterprise software sector, showcasing his ability to drive growth and manage large-scale operations.
- Early Roles: He held significant positions at companies such as VeriCenter, BladeLogic, and BMC Software, building a strong foundation in the tech industry.
- Fuze (formerly ThinkingPhones): As President and Chief Operating Officer, Byron was instrumental in expanding the company’s revenue from approximately $20 million to over $100 million leading up to its acquisition by 8×8.
- Cybereason: From 2017, he served as Chief Revenue Officer, where he contributed to a substantial increase in the cybersecurity firm’s Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) from $5 million to over $70 million. However, reports from 2018 highlighted allegations of a “toxic” leadership style during his tenure, with former employees claiming he would “lash out” at those who disagreed with him. Byron, at the time, denied these claims, stating he was hired to make difficult growth-oriented decisions.
- Lacework: Prior to joining Astronomer, Byron spent four years at this cloud security platform.
- Astronomer: Byron co-founded this data analytics service, known for its Astro data orchestration platform built on Apache Airflow. He assumed the role of CEO in July 2023, leading the company, which boasts a valuation exceeding $1.3 billion.
The “Coldplaygate” Scandal and Resignation
Andy Byron garnered significant public attention in July 2025 after a video of him at a Coldplay concert in Boston went viral. The footage, captured by the venue’s “kiss cam,” showed Byron embracing Kristin Cabot, Astronomer’s Chief People Officer. The pair’s reaction—ducking and covering their faces upon realizing they were on screen—prompted Coldplay frontman Chris Martin to quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” The incident quickly sparked widespread speculation about an extramarital affair, as both Byron and Cabot are reportedly married.
Following the viral video, Astronomer initiated a formal investigation and placed Byron on administrative leave. On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Astronomer announced Byron’s resignation from his CEO position, stating that their leadership standards of “conduct and accountability” were not met. Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy has been appointed as interim CEO. Kristin Cabot’s employment status is still under review, though she was also placed on leave.
- News Coverage of the resignation
- Further details on the incident and company response
- Video of the Coldplay concert incident
Personal Life
Andy Byron is married to Megan Kerrigan Byron, and they have two children. They reside in New York. In the wake of the “Coldplaygate” scandal, Megan Kerrigan Byron reportedly removed “Byron” from her name on social media profiles and subsequently deleted her accounts, hinting at potential marital difficulties. Public sentiment has largely expressed sympathy for Megan Kerrigan Byron.
