The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) honored Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger as its Champion of Workplace Learning and Performance on May 23 at a ceremony during the ASTD 2011 International Conference & Exposition held here. This ASTD award recognizes individuals whose advocacy, commitment, or actions in support of workplace learning and performance have influenced groups of individuals, organizations, or society.

Sullenberger is best known as the heroic pilot who masterfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River and saved the lives of 155 passengers. He and his crew guided the plane to an emergency water landing on January 15, 2009, after a bird strike caused two engines to lose thrust.

"One way of looking at this might be that for 42 years, I've been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience: education and training," Sullenberger told CBS News' Katie Couric in a televised interview after the incident. "And on January 15, the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal."

Sullenberger's career demonstrates his deep understanding of the important role training plays in the airline industry. In 2007 he founded Safety Reliability Methods, a consulting company that offers training, team coaching, and leadership development focused on management, safety, performance, and reliability issues.

Before retiring from US Airways in March 2010, Sullenberger was instrumental in developing and implementing the Crew Resource Management course used by the airline, and taught the course to hundreds of other airline members. He represented the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) during a National Transportation Safety Board investigation, in addition to serving the organization as a Local Air Safety Chairman and as a member of its national technical committee.

Sullenberger graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, and served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force from 1975 to 1980, advancing to flight leader and training officer before attaining the rank of captain. Sullenberger also holds masters degrees in industrial psychology and public administration from Purdue University and the University of Northern Colorado, respectively.

He currently resides in Danville, California, with his wife, fitness expert and television personality Lorrie Sullenberger, and their two daughters.