TRAGIC LOSS

LendingTree CEO, 55, Dies in ATV Accident

“He was an amazing man with a heart so big it seemed to have room for everyone he met,” his wife said.

Doug Lebda, the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of online loan marketplace LendingTree died on Sunday in an all-terrain vehicle accident. His wife, Megan Lebda, said in a statement after his death that “His energy was magnetic, his smile contagious, and his presence was a source of comfort and inspiration.” Doug Lebda, who was 55 when he died, founded LendingTree in 1996 and co-founded financial-services platform Tykoon in 2010. Following his death, the company named Chief Operating Officer Scott Peyree as the new CEO. The Board of Directors released a statement, detailing how “deeply saddened” they are by Lebda’s death. “Doug was a visionary leader whose relentless drive, innovation and passion transformed the financial services landscape, touching the lives of millions of consumers.” Peyree said the news was “devastating,” but he looks “forward to leading our team and continuing our shared vision with Doug into the future.”