Longtime WWE Live Events Executive Ed Cohen passed away on Friday. In a statement released at WWE.com, the company said, “Cohen was instrumental in helping to transform WWE’s Live Event touring business into the global phenomenon it is today. ”

WWE Hall of Famer “Mean” Gene Okerlund provided some additional details regarding Cohen’s passing. Okerlund posted the following message on Facebook on Saturday:

“Sad to report that longtime WWE executive Ed Cohen diéd yesterday. Ed was basically in charge of securing venues for WWE house shows and later television tapings. In the early years Cohen was especially close in working with Vince and Linda McMahon because income from house shows was a main revenue stream for the then-young company. Ed remained with the company for many years but his failing health became an issue in later years and he was less involved. RIP Ed Cohen.”