Doug Lebda, the founder and CEO of LendingTree, has died in an all-terrain vehicle accident at his family’s farm in North Carolina. He was 55.
LendingTree confirmed that Lebda died on Sunday following the incident. The entrepreneur is survived by his wife, Megan, and three daughters, Rachel, Abby and Sophia.
“Our hearts are broken, but we are also deeply grateful for the love and support that has poured in from across the world,” Megan Lebda said in a statement. “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.”
Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 after experiencing frustrations securing his first mortgage. The company went public in 2000 and was sold to InterActiveCorp in 2003 for $726 million. It later spun off again in 2008.
Scott Peyree, the company’s chief operating officer, has been appointed CEO effective immediately. Lead independent director Steve Ozonian will take over as chairman of the board.
