LendingTree CEO and founder Doug Lebda died Sunday in an all-terrain vehicle accident, the company announced.
Additional details of the incident were not immediately available.
:It is impossible to capture the depth of who Doug was and what he meant to all of us,” wife Megan Lebda said in a statement. “He was an amazing man with a heart so big it seemed to have room for everyone he met. Doug was compassionate, generous, and endlessly curious about the world and the people around him. He made friends everywhere he went. His energy was magnetic, his smile contagious, and his presence was a source of comfort and inspiration.”
The statement continued: “Doug’s greatest joy was seeing others succeed. His generosity knew no limits, and his kindness touched every single person who crossed his path. He lifted people up, believed in their potential, and celebrated their wins as if they were his own. He took care of everyone he loved — family, friends, colleagues, and strangers. He always made sure everyone knew how deeply he cared.
“Our hearts are broken, but we are also deeply grateful for the love and support that has poured in from across the world. Doug’s legacy will continue in the company he built, the lives he touched, and the example he set for all of us to lead with kindness, courage, and compassion.”
COO Scott Peyree was elevated to CEO and Steve Ozonian, the Charlotte-headquartered company’s lead independent director, was named chairman of the board of directors.
LendingTree is an online platform for loans, mortgages, credit cards and other financial services. It was founded in 1996 by Lebda.
