LendingTree founder and CEO dies unexpectedly in weekend ATV accident at age 55

Core Points - LendingTree's founder and CEO Doug Lebda passed away unexpectedly in an all-terrain vehicle accident, leading to the appointment of Scott Peyree as the new CEO [1][8] - The board expressed deep sadness over Lebda's death, highlighting his visionary leadership and the impact he had on the financial services landscape [2][3] - Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 with the mission to simplify the loan-shopping process, allowing consumers to compare offers from multiple banks online [5][6] Company Overview - LendingTree is one of the largest online financial platforms in the U.S., offering loans, credit cards, and insurance through a network of approximately 430 financial partners [5] - The company went public in 2000 and has navigated significant events, including the dot-com meltdown and a sale to IAC/InterActiveCorp in 2003 [6][7] Leadership Transition - Scott Peyree, previously the Chief Operating Officer and President, has been appointed as the new CEO, with the board emphasizing the strength of the management team established by Lebda [8][10] - Steve Ozonian, the lead independent director, will serve as the chairman of the board, effective immediately [9] Market Reaction - Following the announcement of Lebda's death, shares of LendingTree's stock experienced a decline [12]