Former KMJ radio general manager and Fresno Chamber of Commerce president Al Smith passed away at the age of 86 on Saturday. Smith led KMJ through a successful era spanning over 15 years before leaving the station in 2006.
He joined the Fresno Chamber of Commerce in 2006, where he served as the organization’s president until he retired in 2016.
Following his departure from KMJ, Smith continued deep involvement in the station, serving as the voice of the Legends & Legacies segment over the years.
Smith, a New Orleans native, spent more than 60 years working in the broadcast industry.
KMJ general manager Patty Hixson said in a statement announcing Smith’s passing that she loved working with him, calling him a great friend and mentor.
“The New Orleans spirit never left him! He embodied everything about the energy of that city,” Hixson said. “He was a great musician and had so many great gifts that he lovingly shared with so many of us… God bless you Al Smith! May your trumpet blare in heaven for all those loved ones who have passed before us! You will be so deeply missed. Hearts are broken everywhere!”
Nathan Ahle, Smith’s successor to lead the Fresno Chamber of Commerce feted his predecessor over the weekend.
“In 2016 I had the great honor of succeeding Al Smith as President/CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Throughout my nearly five years in the role he was always kind, gracious, and supportive — eager to support Fresno and its amazing business community. It was so sad to hear of his passing. Thanks for everything, Al — you’ll be missed,” Ahle, now a government affairs chief for Comcast, wrote.
KMJ host Ray Appleton added, “Al was a born leader and a good time was to be had by all, and he would darn well make sure of it! You knew as soon as you met the man that he was special. Dear God, this one hurts.”
Nathan Alonzo, a government affairs representative for PG&E who served under Smith at the Fresno Chamber, reflected on his impact on the business advocacy organization.
“Al Smith has left us, with his departure Fresno and the world are smaller, and a little less gentlemanly,” Alonzo wrote in a social media eulogy. “This good man changed my life and helped set me on the trajectory I am today, when at 23 he hired me on to be his Government Affairs Manager at the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. I’ve always taken a lot of pride in saying I was his last hire before retirement. My time working with and around him was special. As a young person I knew that being around this man was a special treat, I tried soaking in as much of the magic as I could. Al Smith served as a mentor, example, confidant, and good friend to me. A phone call with him was a gift of perspective, a lighthouse in the middle of some political or community storm.”
