Pete DeJoy: The Co-Founder Taking Charge at Astronomer

When former CEO Andy Byron resigned amid a wave of media attention, the company didn’t turn to external talent. The company instead turned to Pete DeJoy, who had been with them since the beginning. In the fast-changing world of data orchestration, Pete DeJoy is quickly making a name for himself. He co-founded Astronomer, the company behind Apache Airflow, and isn’t just building a business; he is also changing how companies handle complex data workflows in the age of AI and automation. 

What’s interesting about Pete’s success is his mix of technical skill and community focus. He knows that in a world driven by automation, it’s not just about speed, it’s about control, transparency, and trust in data processes. While many companies struggle with messy data systems, Pete is leading a shift that makes workflow orchestration a key part of modern data strategy.

Pete DeJoy – Biography

Pete DeJoy – Education and Career Journey

DeJoy holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and physics from Bowdoin College in Maine. He has played a central role in scaling its core platform throughout his eight-year journey with Astronomer, which is also helping transform it into one of the most trusted orchestration tools in the data ecosystem today, as noted by The Sun.

Pete DeJoy has been closely involved with Astronomer since its early days, having co-founded the data orchestration company back in 2017. From initially handling product direction to becoming Vice President of Product by early 2023, his role steadily evolved. Then he officially took charge as Chief Product Officer, a move that reflects his growing influence within the company.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he played a key role in shaping product development during Astronomer’s early days, while also contributing to various business functions.

Moreover, Pete DeJoy has stepped in as Interim CEO of Astronomer, following the departure of Andy Byron amid a widely circulated video that brought unexpected media attention to the company. Astronomer’s original co-founder and Chief Product Officer, DeJoy, has played a significant role in defining the company since it was established in 2015. 

DeJoy’s leadership hasn’t been molded by case studies or MBA jargon. Instead, it reflects the discipline and curiosity of someone trained in scientific thinking. From technical troubleshooting to executive decision-making, he relies on a methodical, quietly confident style that sets him apart.

Pete DeJoy Statement on LinkedIn

After taking over as leader amid intense scrutiny, Pete DeJoy decided to talk directly to his team and community. In a candid LinkedIn post, he described the sudden media attention as “unusual and surreal,” acknowledging the whirlwind surrounding his interim CEO appointment. While the circumstances were far from ideal, his focus remained clear: reinforcing trust in Astronomer’s mission, its people, and its future.

The following is Pete DeJoy’s full LinkedIn statement, as he wrote it:

“Over the weekend, I stepped into the role of Interim CEO at Astronomer, a company that I’ve proudly poured my entire professional life into helping build.

Over the past few years, our business has experienced incredible growth. What was once a mission to help companies with Apache Airflow has turned into so much more. We’re privileged to sit at the center of our customers’ data & AI strategy, powering data pipelines behind in-game analytics of your favorite sports team, LLM-powered chatbots for customer support, training AI for self-driving cars, and every mission-critical process in between.

The events of the past few days have received a level of media attention that few companies, let alone startups in our small corner of the data and AI world, ever encounter. The spotlight has been unusual and surreal for our team, and while I would never have wished for it to happen like this, Astronomer is now a household name.

At Astronomer, we have never shied away from challenges; a near-decade of building this business has tested us time and time again, and each time we’ve emerged stronger. From starting a software company in Cincinnati, Ohio, to keeping the lights on through the collapse of the bank that held all our cash, to scaling from 30 to 300 people during a global pandemic that demanded we do it all without ever being in the same room.

And yet, we’re still here.

We’re here because Astronomer is built by people who live to solve hard problems, stay late to fix what’s broken, and care deeply about doing things the right way. We’re here because our customers trust us with their most ambitious data & AI projects. And, most importantly, we’re here because the mission is bigger than any one moment.

I’m stepping into this role with a wholehearted commitment to taking care of our people and delivering for our customers. Astronomer’s foundation remains strong, built around the thriving Apache Airflow community. Our opportunity to build a DataOps platform for the age of AI remains massive. And our story is very much still being written.

To our team: thank you for your resilience & commitment to building something great. And to our community and customers: thank you for your trust. We won’t let you down.”

A New Chapter for Astronomer – Pete DeJoy Steps In as Interim CEO 

While Pete DeJoy’s appointment as Interim CEO is not permanent, he’s now tasked with leading Astronomer through one of its most scrutinized moments. The company is reportedly in the process of identifying a long-term successor, but DeJoy, as co-founder, must first focus on restoring internal stability and public trust following the controversy surrounding former CEO Andy Byron and HR head Kristin Cabot, a situation that gained international attention.

In response to the incident, Astronomer released a statement reinforcing its values, noting that company leaders are “expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.” DeJoy now faces the challenge of turning this moment into a reset point, both culturally and operationally.

FAQs

Who is Pete DeJoy?

Pete DeJoy is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Astronomer, the company behind Apache Airflow. In 2025, he stepped in as Interim CEO after the resignation of former CEO Andy Byron.

What is Pete DeJoy’s background?

Pete DeJoy holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and physics from Bowdoin College in Maine. His career began in product direction at Astronomer, and over eight years, he scaled its platform into one of the most trusted workflow orchestration tools in the data ecosystem.

What is Astronomer known for?

Astronomer is best known for its work with Apache Airflow, providing DataOps solutions for companies managing complex data pipelines. Its technology powers systems like in-game sports analytics, LLM-powered chatbots, AI for self-driving cars, and other mission-critical processes.