When Kelly J. Fredericks officially heads to California and a new set of challenges as president and CEO of Ontario International Airport about 30 miles from Los Angeles starting March 8, he plans to book the first scheduled non-stop across country flight into Green Airport on Dec. 7, 2017.

Of course, he can’t do that.

No airline has committed to bringing non-stop, coast-to-coast service to Green, and for that matter work hasn’t even started on the runway extension that is expected to make that feasible. But that has been Fredericks’ style since he came to Rhode Island four years ago. He plans on things happening, and as a believer and a leader they happen more frequently than they don’t.

Fredericks’ announcement to the board on Jan. 20 came as a surprise.

Word wasn’t circulating that he was being courted, and there was no hint that he was looking to move on. In fact, he was house shopping in Rhode Island, and it seemed he was going to be in the Ocean State for a long time.

That’s the way Fredericks was thinking, too, until the folks at Ontario identified him as the man to bring dramatic change to an airport they believe has tremendous potential for growth.

In an interview Friday, Fredericks said he was contacted just before Christmas and asked to consider applying for the job. In terms of traffic, Ontario is slightly larger than Green at four million passengers. It handles a lot of cargo and is a major UPS hub, and unlike Green it has two major runways, one of 10,000 feet and another of 11,000 feet, and plenty of space. On the other hand, it doesn’t have a terminal like Green or the connectivity to rail, which Fredericks sees as a key to Green’s future and one of those assets that will be touted as visionary in decades to come.

Fredericks said he sees “enormous growth potential” for Ontario. He pointed out that last December, Los Angeles approved a settlement agreement transferring ownership of the airport to the Ontario International Airport Authority, resolving litigation that dates back to 2013. He said it is the only airport in southern California “without restrictions.”

In interviews given to the California media, Fredericks has likened Ontario to a “blank canvas.”

“I absolutely amazes me this opportunity … but I’ve never seen anything like it in my career,” he is quoted by the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. He told the newspaper that air service development is a top priority. He said he is looking for the airport to service five million to six million passengers annually and to keep growing.

On Friday, Fredericks said Ontario is a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Even so, he said, leaving Rhode Island “was one of the hardest career decisions to make.”

Referring to his aerial views of the state by helicopter, Fredericks said: “I fell in love with it. I had no idea of the beauty.” He also talks about the people of Rhode Island as well as the staff he headed.

“If I could I would take most of them [the staff] with me,” he said.

But while Fredericks is looking ahead to the challenges at Ontario, he’s sees opportunity at Green.

He’s encouraged by Gov. Gina Raimondo’s budget and inclusion of $1.5 million for air service subsides. Should the allocation gain General Assembly approval, it would be used as a form of reducing risk for airlines bringing new service to Green. If the service falls short of generating projected revenues, the subsidy would kick in.

Fredericks named Denver, Houston/Dallas, and Miami as non-stop destinations that would enhance Green service.

“The bread and butter is domestic [service],” he said.

“I’m encouraged by the new governor. They get it and how important the airport is to the state. There is a laser focus on economic development by the Assembly,” he said. He also mentioned the support of former Gov. Lincoln Chafee and former RIAC Board Chair Kathleen Hittner. They wooed jetBlue to Green and worked with Shannon International Airport that is working cooperatively with Green even though at this point there is not service.

Looking ahead, Fredericks said the road service at Green needs to be addressed, and he sees the need for additional corporate hangars and cargo facilities. With a growth in passenger traffic he can see the need for additional parking and thinks RIAC may exercise its $3.2 million option to buy Laz Parking. While that would take land off city tax rolls, Fredericks notes, “what’s in the best interest of the airport is in the best interest of the city.” He expects demolition would start soon on the strip of buildings RIAC owns on the north side of Airport Road near the Post Road intersection.

“We don’t want the property to sit vacant.” He didn’t indicate possible uses for the site.

“I can’t underscore the partnership,” Fredericks said of Mayor Scott Avedisian and the City Council.

As for the runway extension that will give Green an 8,700-foot runway, Fredericks said bids would be opened in April.

Construction is scheduled for completion on Dec. 7, 2017 – and Fredericks wants to be on that inaugural flight into Green.

“Rhode Island has not seen the end of me,” he said. He promised to be back almost monthly.

In a role he has served in before, Peter Frazier is serving as interim CEO and president while RIAC conducts a search to fill the post. Frazier is RIAC general counsel and senior vice president. He intends to apply for the job.