Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger has been dedicated to the pursuit of safety his entire adult life. He recently served as the U.S. Ambassador and Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is a sought-after speaker, safety expert, author and pilot.

 

Sullenberger considers it one of the greatest honors of his life having been asked by President Biden to be the U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization, a U.N. Specialized Agency, in Montréal, Québec, Canada. He was nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2021. He served in the post in 2022. During his tenure he reasserted effective U.S. leadership at ICAO, tackling the aviation crises involving Belarus, Russia, a Middle East airspace dispute and climate change.

 

After logging more than 20,000 hours of flight time Sullenberger became internationally renowned on January 15, 2009 when he and his crew safely guided US Airways Flight 1549 to an emergency water landing in New York City’s frigid Hudson River, during what has been called the “Miracle on the Hudson.” The Airbus A320’s two engines had lost thrust following a bird strike. Sullenberger and his crew received international acclaim for their actions that day, including the passage of a Congressional resolution recognizing their bravery. Sullenberger was ranked second in TIME's "Top 100 Most Influential Heroes and Icons of 2009” and was awarded the French Legion of Honour.

 

Upon reentering private life, he has resumed his profession as a keynote speaker to audiences around the world and continues his advocacy for safety in global air travel.