Douglas R. Lebda, the CEO of LendingTree, has been with the company since it was founded in 1996. He has a strong background in finance, holding a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Bucknell University. Under his leadership, LendingTree grew...

Douglas R. Lebda, the CEO of LendingTree, has been with the company since it was founded in 1996. He has a strong background in finance, holding a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Bucknell University. Under his leadership, LendingTree grew from a startup to a well-recognized name in comparison shopping for financial services. His compensation reflects a pay-for-performance philosophy, with his bonuses linked to the company's success. For 2023, he earned a total of $1,230,808 with a base salary of $750,000, highlighting the rewards for achieving adjusted EBITDA targets. Interestingly, he has not received stock options or grants in recent years, which shows his focus on immediate performance rather than long-term equity. In past years, he has had significant stock vesting, with $6.2 million from stock that vested in 2020. Let's not forget the ups and downs of his wealth; in 2019, his holdings were valued at about $620 million, but saw dramatic fluctuations in the following years, reaching as low as $386 million in 2020, reflecting how company performance can impact a CEO’s net worth directly. Additionally, Lebda took a significant pay cut in 2011, but his salary was restored shortly after, showing a determination to lead the company responsibly even during tough times. Recently, he has been given the option to invest part of his salary into LendingTree’s stock, which aligns his interests with investors. Lebda is not just a CEO; he’s a founder who blends experience with a solid approach to growth and company values.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

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Douglas R. Lebda

Founder and CEO of LendingTree

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Bucknell University

Field of Expertise

Finance & Banking - Finance

Sector of Economy

Financial Services

Born

May 16, 1970 - 55 years ago

CEO of LendingTree for

17 years 6 months (Jan 2008 - Present)

Previous Experience

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LendingTree, LLC

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Douglas R. Lebda

Holdings

See how much did Douglas R. Lebda make over time.

Douglas R. Lebda’s stock holdings have seen significant ups and downs. In September 2019, his holdings reached an impressive $620.64 million. However, this figure fluctuated over the next few years, dropping to as low as $331.48 million by April 2020....

Douglas R. Lebda’s stock holdings have seen significant ups and downs. In September 2019, his holdings reached an impressive $620.64 million. However, this figure fluctuated over the next few years, dropping to as low as $331.48 million by April 2020. His interests are closely tied to the company's performance, as seen in the valuation of his shares. In 2023, despite earning a large salary, he has experienced a decline compared to previous highs. As of late 2024, his holdings are valued at around $118.12 million, showing how market forces and company results can greatly impact his overall wealth. These fluctuations underline the risk and rewards tied to company management. His net worth indicates a significant financial stake in the company he leads.

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Total Stock Sold

$276.64M

TREE

$276.64M

2,100,220 TREE shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Douglas R. Lebda didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra TREE2,100,220 shares worth $623.41M.
This is 125.35% and $346.77M more than what they got when they sold the stock.

Charitable Transactions

TREE

1,132,498 shares

TREE

Recent Charitable Transactions

TREE

45,374 shares

TREE

Dec 6, 2022

Charity

TREE

365,000 shares

TREE

Dec 31, 2022

Charity

TREE

455,000 shares

TREE

Dec 31, 2021

Charity

TREE

20,000 shares

TREE

Dec 6, 2018

Charity

TREE

24,600 shares

TREE

Nov 3, 2017

Charity

TREE

222,524 shares

TREE

Dec 31, 2012

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Douglas R. Lebda.

TREE

$2.80K

TREE at $40.64/share

Jan 17, 2025

Received

TREE

$14.08K

TREE at $39.99/share

Jan 3, 2025

Received

TREE

$16.52K

TREE at $39.61/share

Dec 20, 2024

Received

TREE

$16.53K

TREE at $39.18/share

Dec 6, 2024

Received

TREE

$516.36K

TREE at $39.72/share

Dec 6, 2024

Purchase

TREE

$16.54K

TREE at $43.99/share

Nov 22, 2024

Received

TREE

$16.50K

TREE at $47.42/share

Nov 8, 2024

Received

TREE

$16.54K

TREE at $53.37/share

Oct 25, 2024

Received

TREE

$16.51K

TREE at $60.24/share

Oct 11, 2024

Received

TREE

$16.53K

TREE at $56.42/share

Sep 27, 2024

Received

Compensation History

See how much did Douglas R. Lebda make over time.

In 2023, Douglas R. Lebda earned $1,230,808 from LendingTree, including a base salary of $750,000 and a performance bonus of $468,750. This bonus was earned based on the company meeting its adjusted EBITDA targets, showcasing a direct link between his compensation and company performance. Interestingly, he did not receive any stock or stock options that year, which reflects a shift towards immediate cash rewards rather than long-term equity incentives. Over the past years, his compensation structure has varied, with substantial bonuses in better-performing years and cuts in tougher times. For instance, in 2021, he earned $1,369,813, which included a significant performance bonus but no newly granted stocks. This illustrates his alignment with investors but also indicates a strategy focused on driving performance in the short term.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$1.23M

Salary

$750.00K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy emphasizes pay-for-performance, aligning executive compensation with company performance and stockholder interests.

Bonus

$468.75K

Board Justification

The bonus for 2023 was based on the company's performance against adjusted EBITDA targets, resulting in a payout of 50% of the target bonus.

Other

$12.06K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes matching contributions to the 401(k) plan and reimbursement for remote communication expenses.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 N/A)

Board Justification

No stock grants were vested in 2023 as the CEO did not receive any new equity compensation during this year.

Performance Metrics

The CEO's compensation is tied to the company's adjusted EBITDA performance, with specific targets set for annual bonuses.