Check out our latest products
![[Upgraded] USB Computer /Laptop Speaker with Stereo Sound & Enhanced Bass, Portable Mini Sound Bar for Windows PCs, Desktop Computer and Laptops](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61NAayKmVIL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Doug Lebda, the LendingTree founder, chairman, and CEO, died on Sunday in an ATV accident, the company announced. He was 55.
LendingTree named the company’s COO, Scott Peyree, as CEO following Lebda’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Doug,” LendingTree’s board of directors said in a statement. “Doug was a visionary leader whose relentless drive, innovation, and passion transformed the financial services landscape, touching the lives of millions of consumers.”
Lebda founded LendingTree, an online lending marketplace, in 1996. LendingTree enables consumers to compare different loan offers.
He founded the company after personally experiencing frustration when getting his first mortgage, his company bio said. Prior to founding the company, Lebda was an auditor and consultant at PwC.
He received an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Lebda left business school to found LendingTree, but later returned.
Lebda was also a contributor on several media networks, including Bloomberg, CNBC, and Fox Business.
“The news of losing Doug was devastating,” Pyree said. “But one of the most immediate impacts of his legacy is the strong management team he put in place at LendingTree. I look forward to leading our team and continuing our shared vision with Doug into the future.”
Lebda is survived by his wife, Megan, and three daughters.
This story is breaking. Check back for updates.
