Rick Cummings Retires From Emmis

• Emmis Corporation’s Rick Cummings, the programming genius behind LA’s Power 106 and New York’s Hot 97, as well as dozens of other radio stations and formats across the United States, announced his retirement from full-time employment, effective September 1, 2023, after 43 years with the company. He will remain a consultant with Emmis.

“Rick and I have been together every day since Emmis started, and we worked together even before that,” said Jeff Smulyan, Emmis Founder & Chairman of the Board. “It’s hard to describe our relationship, but no one has contributed more to the success of Emmis for 43 years than Rick and no one has been a better friend and partner. It is hard to see Rick wanting to slow down, but he has certainly earned the right to do that. Knowing that he will remain as a consultant means that we will continue to work and laugh together for a long time.”

A native of Cloverdale, IN and graduate of Butler University, Cummings became Emmis Broadcasting’s first program director at flagship 97.1 WENS/Indianapolis in 1981. Three years later he was named Emmis’ National Program Director, launching KPWR (Power 106)/Los Angeles, followed by WQHT (Hot 97)/New York, and the country’s first All-Sports station, WFAN/New York. In 2002, Cummings was elevated to President of the Radio Division of Emmis Communications, overseeing more than 20 radio stations, and in 2008, he was named President of Programming for Emmis’ domestic radio group.

“Save my immediate family, nothing has given me more joy in life than working for Jeff and Emmis,” Cummings said. “This company has afforded me extraordinary professional and personal opportunities, here and abroad, that no kid from rural Indiana could ever have imagined.  I am eternally grateful for this and the future as Emmis allows me to continue in a consulting role.  As I told Jeff, ‘I’ll work for you until they carry one of us out!'”