Al Smith was the former general manager of KMJ 580 AM and the President and CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. He died on Saturday. Photo via ffbbank.com
The words of memory were poured on social media over the weekend with news of the death of the former Fresno Radio Executive and business leader Al Smith.
Smith, 86, died on Saturday, according to numerous online posts. He remembered as a charismatic leader known for his thriving voice and the ability to make every person with whom he had to feel special.
He became president and CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce in 2006, serving in position until his retirement in 2016.
Prior to that, he was a senior vice president and market manager for the National Enterprise of Infinity Broadcasting.
He also led the most rated FRESNO KMJ 580 AM Radio station as his general manager for 15 years. His voice was known to the listeners through his regular feature “Legends & Legacies” in KMJ, sharing stories of the past of the Central Valley.
He spent more than 60 years in the transmission industry.
He was also an administrator of the business community, sharing his experience as advising the Committee Chairman of the Sid Crag Business School in Fresno. He was also president of Fresno City and County Convention and the Bureau of Visitors, and the previous president of the California Association and the past director of the Rotary club of Fresno. He served on board the directors of the Wonder Valley Ranch resort for more than 20 years.
Recently, he was working on a local business adviser.
Smith is a native of New Orleans who worked as a radio executive in southern California before moving to Fresno.
“New Orleans spirit never left it!” Said Patty Hixson, who followed Smith as a general manager of KMJ. “He embodied everything for the energy of this city. He was a great musician and had so many excellent gifts that he loved them with so many of us … God bless you Al Smith! Your trumpet can blaze in paradise for all those loved ones who have passed before us! You will miss you very deeply. The hearts are broken everywhere! “
The long personality of the KMJ Ray Appleton’s radio personality was a close friend of Smith. He said in a Facebook post that Smith had been involved in health issues, but his death on Saturday evening was unexpected. He said two of Smith’s sons live in the central valley, and he has a daughter in Luiziana and a boy in New York. He had been married to Janette Smith for nearly 65 years.
“I want to say,” Rest in peace, al. It may be more appropriate to say, ‘party on, pal!’ “Wrote Appleton.
Some former colleagues and other friends took social media to share the impact Smith had on them.
His son, Christopher Scott Smith, announced his late passage on Saturday night and wrote, “Fresno and the world lost the biggest tonight. I love you, Daddio. Al Smith,” Legend “.
Nathan Ahle, the former President and CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce who followed Smith in 2016, shared his thoughts.
“During my nearly five years in the role he was always kind, gracious and supportive – eager to support Fresno and his amazing business community,” Ahle wrote. “It was so sad when I heard about its passage. Thank you for everything, Al – you will miss you. ”
Scott Miller, the current president of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, wrote that Smith had an unforgivable impact on him.
“Loss affiliates for our community. To say that he was a mentor and role model would put him very easily. He taught me most of what I know about Fresno’s room and I still feel like it is a lot of his organization in many ways, “said Miller.” He did not be born here, but he loved Fresno and was a tireless champion of the city our and our region. He was literally Fresno’s voice for many years. There will never be another like him. What a legend. What heritage. Rest in peace, al. “
John Ostlund, the president of a broadcast of a blow, served with Smith on the Wonder Valley Board of Directors for over 20 years.
“I had the privilege of competing and collaborating with Al Smith for 30 years. He was responsible for much of the great success of KMJ Radio and later in the Chamber of Commerce, where he led by being friendly, fair and I Strong, ”Ostlund said. “We always counted it for the useless truth and a good cursed time. I will lose his friendship and advice. Rip al.”