LendingTree CEO and founder dies in ATV accident over the weekend

Core Points - Doug Lebda, the CEO and founder of LendingTree, passed away in an all-terrain vehicle accident, leading to a significant loss for the company [1][2] - The board of directors praised Lebda as a visionary leader who transformed the financial services landscape and expressed their commitment to continue his legacy [2] - Following Lebda's death, Scott Peyree has been appointed as the new CEO, and Steve Ozonian will take over as chairman of the board [2] Company Background - LendingTree was founded in 1996 to simplify the loan shopping process, launching nationally in 1998 and becoming a public company in 2000 [3] - The company is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and its shares fell more than 2% following the news of Lebda's passing [3] - LendingTree operates an online loaning marketplace that helps users compare loans for various financial needs and owns several brands in the financial sector, including CompareCards and Value Penguin [4] Leadership and Vision - Doug Lebda's approach to innovation was driven by his personal experiences and challenges in the financial services industry [5] - In addition to LendingTree, Lebda co-founded Tykoon, a financial services platform aimed at children and families, in 2010 [4]