LendingTree CEO and Founder Doug Lebda Dies in ATV Accident; New Leadership Appointed
LendingTree CEO Doug Lebda, 55, died in an ATV accident. Scott Peyree is the new CEO, and Steve Ozonian is chairman, following the tragic announcement.
Overview
LendingTree CEO and founder Doug Lebda, 55, tragically died over the weekend in an all-terrain vehicle accident at a family farm in North Carolina.
Following Lebda's death, LendingTree announced immediate leadership changes, appointing Scott Peyree as the new CEO and Steve Ozonian as the new chairman of the board.
Lebda founded LendingTree, an online marketplace for financial products, which launched nationally in 1998 and became a public company in 2000.
LendingTree's shares experienced a decline of over 4% in Monday afternoon trading following the announcement of its founder's passing and leadership transition.
Lebda had a significant career, including co-founding Tykoon and serving as IAC's President and COO before returning to lead LendingTree during its 2008 spinoff.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the death of LendingTree CEO Doug Lebda with a neutral, factual approach. They focus on reporting the event, providing biographical context, and detailing the company's official response and succession plan. The articles primarily present information through direct quotes from company officials and family, avoiding editorial commentary or loaded language in their own narration.


