Doug Lebda, the founder of LendingTree, was killed “unexpectedly” over the weekend in what the company described as an all-terrain vehicle accident.
The 55-year-old business leader and father of three died on Sunday, Oct. 12, while on a family farm in North Carolina, according to a company statement.
“It is impossible to capture the depth of who Doug was and what he meant to all of us,” his widow, Megan Lebda, said in a statement released Monday, Oct. 13.
“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,” she said. “His energy was magnetic, his smile contagious, and his presence was a source of comfort and inspiration.”
Megan added that 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.”
Scott Peyree has been named as the company’s new CEO. “The news of losing Doug was devastating,” he said in a statement.
Details surrounding the ATV incident have not been released, and the company said it is withholding the farm’s location for privacy reasons.
Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996, inspired after encountering “the frustrations and complexities of getting his first mortgage,” according to his company biography. Over the years, he served in multiple leadership roles, including during the period when LendingTree was part of IAC.
“Doug was a visionary leader whose relentless drive, innovation, and passion transformed the financial services landscape, touching the lives of millions of consumers,” LendingTree’s board said in a statement. “His passion will continue to inspire us as we move forward together. We extend our deepest sympathies to Doug’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
In addition to his wife, Lebda is survived by his three daughters.
“He took care of everyone he loved — family, friends, colleagues, and strangers,” Megan said. “He always made sure everyone knew how deeply he cared.”
“Our hearts are broken,” she added, “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.”
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, LendingTree employs nearly 1,000 people and generates revenue in the hundreds of millions of dollars, according to The Charlotte Observer.
