Veteran radio programmer and consultant Steve Smith died last Thursday (July 7) at age 62. Smith has been referred to as one of the smartest radio programmers of the last four decades, influencing the on-air careers of everyone from Ryan Seacrest and Ashford & Simpson to Funkmaster Flex and Wendy Williams.

Flex expressed his sadness at the loss on social media, writing, "Rest In Peace! Steve Smith! Love u!"

As Vice President of Emmis Programming, Smith co-launched the Hip-Hop format for Hot 97 in the 1990s and turned Kiss FM into smooth R&B and classic soul, all while running Power 106 in Los Angeles. Smith turned the aforementioned stations into the #1 and #2 stations in New York and the #1 station in L.A. respectively. =

His family issued a statement which said Smith passed away peacefully at his home.

“The industry is mourning the devastating loss of veteran programmer and broadcast executive Steve Smith," the statement read. "Steve's highly successful career spanned 40 years and has broken countless records, won countless awards, and has irrevocably changed the landscape of American radio for the better."