Longtime programmer and consultant Mike Marino passed away on Thursday, July 16 at the age 60 following a long battle with cancer.

Friend and colleague Jason Hillery shared, “Some may be surprised to hear that Mike was sick. He kept it private. He didn’t want anyone to worry. That was Mike. He put up one heck of a fight and never let his diagnosis deter or distract him from working with morning shows around the country and programming his syndicated urban AC format. Anyone who knew Mike knew he was the king of many formats, but Urban AC was his baby, and he mastered it. He also mastered morning show content. Twenty-five years ago, he created TheBitXChange prep for morning shows, which still operates today as GotRooster and AmeriCountry.”

In addition to creating those prep sheets, Marino consulted multiple R&B and Rhythmic Oldies stations across the country including at times KJHM Denver, KOKO-FM Fresno, and KMRJ Palm Springs. He previously programming “Hot 92.3” KHHT Los Angeles from 2000 to 2008 preceded by stints at KMXB Las Vegas and KKPN Corpus Christi. Earlier in his career he was APD of KMEL San Francisco and KGGI Riverside.