(Updated, 11:30 a.m.)
WARWICK – Kevin A. Dillon, president of the R.I. Airport Corporation since 2008, is stepping down to take a leadership role at another airport authority, he said Tuesday.
Dillon has not named his future employer, but said he will be executive director there. His resignation will be effective in July 13.
Dillon cited a new challenge and opportunity to be closer to family.
“I have certainly enjoyed my time in RI and in the period I have been here,” Dillon said. “On a personal level, this will put me closer to my family, including my three daughters.”
At RIAC, Dillon was in charge of T.F. Green Airport and five smaller airports. His tenure was marked by tense negotiations and ultimately an agreement to extend the runways at T.F. Green.
Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian spent considerable time negotiating with Dillon over the Green expansion.
“Kevin Dillon has served the Rhode Island Airport Corporation with distinction,” Avedisian said in a prepared statement.
“There is always an odd relationship between the CEO of an airport and the mayor of the host city,” added Avedisian. “Nevertheless, we have worked hard to make it a relationship founded on trust and rooted in finding a mutual benefit for the City and the Airport Corporation.”
From an airport that claims they need a longer runway to support non-stop departures to the west coast, to an airport that has the longer runway and canceled its non-stops to the west coast due to lack of passenger demand.