Not sure if that makes sense...unless he was really bummed about not getting the COO position. What really bothers me is this thing is about to fly, so why leave now? Normally, companies will add that a person has left to "pursue other interests, spend more time with family, or some other bs. Nothing like that was provided.

Which leads to the idea that he has not left entirely, but joined the POET "sphere" with one of the satellite companies.