After the death of Chairman, President and CEO Zachary S. Gibler, 46, in a cycling accident Sunday, Lighting Science Group Corp. of Satellite Beach has reorganized to fill the void of the executive it called “a guiding force.”

The single-bicycle accident happened at 8:32 a.m. Sunday at 8670 S. Tropical Trail, south of Pineda Causeway on Merritt Island, Lt. Jeff Taylor of Brevard County Fire-Rescue said.

“There was no other vehicle involved,” Taylor said. “The cyclist went down on his own.”

Gibler, who was wearing a helmet, suffered critical injuries and was flown by helicopter to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, where he died.

“Zach was a truly unique person,” said Richard Weinberg, a member of the company’s board of directors and a co-managing director at Pegasus Capital Advisors, the majority shareholder in Lighting Science. Weinberg will now assume the chairman’s duties and have direct involvement in the company.

“One of his greatest strengths was his aptitude for building a deep and effective management team,” Weinberg said. “I know that Zach took great pride in the fact that he helped to create hundreds of jobs and to make Lighting Science Group the largest employer in Satellite Beach.”

Gibler’s death will not cause a delay in the fast-growing company’s plans to open another factory in Brevard County this year to manufacture light emitting diode, or LED, lighting, Fred Maxik, founder and chief technology officer, said Monday.

“He’ll be sorely missed,” said Maxik, who was biking with Gibler at the time of the accident.

Leading the 400-employee company that produces efficient, long-lasting lighting, Gibler became CEO in June 2009 and president in September. He was named chairman in March 2010. A lighting industry veteran, he previously held a variety of senior roles at Acuity Brands.

As an interim leadership measure, Donald Harkleroad, president of The Bristol Company, and Charles Darnell, former vice chairman of Acuity Brands, have become vice chairmen of the board. Weinberg, Harkleroad and Darnell will comprise a new “Office of the Chairman” that will assume CEO responsibilities temporarily.

Gibler is survived by his wife, Mary, and a daughter.