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Sully Sullenberger is an acclaimed retired airline pilot, diplomat, and aviation safety expert, widely recognized for his leadership during critical incidents and his advocacy for aviation safety.
Boutique watch brand JEANRICHARD partnered with Captain Chesley Burnett Sullenberger, one of aviation's most recognized individuals. The collaboration highlights Captain Sullenberger's heroic status.
Sullenberger was hired by CBS News as an aviation and safety expert, providing insight and commentary related to air travel and safety protocols.
Sullenberger works as an international lecturer and keynote speaker through the Harry Walker Agency, addressing topics such as aviation and patient safety, high-performance systems, and ethical leadership at various organizations.
Sullenberger served as co-chairman of the EAA's Young Eagles youth introduction-to-aviation program from 2009 to 2013, inspiring children to explore aviation.
Sullenberger collaborated with Vote Vets and The Lincoln Project to produce a commercial urging Americans to participate in the democratic process during the 2020 election.
Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III, born on January 23, 1951, in Denison, Texas, developed an early interest in aviation, constructing model planes and becoming a flight enthusiast. His academic prowess was evident from a young age, joining Mensa International at 11 and graduating from Denison High School in 1969 with high honors. Sullenberger pursued higher education at the United States Air Force Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and basic sciences. He further advanced his education with master’s degrees from Purdue University in industrial-organizational psychology in 1973 and the University of Northern Colorado in public administration in 1979.
Sullenberger’s military career began after graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1973, where he was recognized as the ‘top flyer’ of his class. He served in the United States Air Force, flying F-4 Phantom II jets and reaching the rank of captain. During his military service from 1973 to 1980, he gained extensive experience in Europe, the Pacific, and at Nellis Air Force Base, serving as a flight leader, training officer, and contributing to aircraft accident investigations. This period laid the groundwork for his deep understanding of flight operations and safety protocols.
After his military service, Sullenberger transitioned to civil aviation, joining US Airways and its predecessor airlines in 1980, where he served for 30 years before retiring in 2010. Beyond his piloting duties, he was a dedicated advocate for aviation safety, serving as a local air safety chairman for the Air Line Pilots Association and contributing to numerous accident investigations for both the USAF and the National Transportation Safety Board. He co-founded Safety Reliability Methods, Inc. (SRM) in 2007, an organization dedicated to enhancing organizational safety and performance. His expertise also extended to developing and teaching Crew Resource Management courses for airline crew members. Sullenberger’s career culminated in an unparalleled event on January 15, 2009, when he successfully performed an emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River, an act that saved all 155 lives aboard and earned him global recognition as a hero and an expert in crisis management.
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