DAVE SANDERSON: BEYOND THE MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON A business meeting that ended early… That’s how it all began on January 15, 2009 for Dave Sanderson, a top-notch tech sales manager who spent more time on the road than he wanted, away from his wife and four children. He had finished work sooner than anticipated and wanted to get home. It was the least he could do to make up for the time he spent working two jobs trying to make a better life for them all. He called his travel agent, who was able to procure a seat for him on an earlier flight departing from New York’s LaGuardia Airport for Charlotte, North Carolina. Sanderson boarded, moved down the aisle to seat 15A, and fastened his seatbelt for takeoff. The flight had been delayed as an earlier blizzard in the area cleared. Now it was cold and bright and clear, a perfect day for flying. A few moments later, what happened to US Airways Flight 1549 was to become known around the world as The Miracle on the Hudson. On its initial climb, a flock of Canada geese collided with the Airbus 320, crippling both engines. Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger knew he couldn’t make it to any of the nearby airports, and there was only one option left: to attempt a water landing and put the plane down safely in the Hudson River. The passengers heard the Captain’s words over the PA system -- “Brace for impact” – and then the plane crashed. In his window seat, Sanderson ascertained how quickly he could get to an exit as the plane started taking on water. But then he heard his late mother’s voice in his head: “If you do the right thing, God will take care of you.” So he did the right thing, staying behind to help people who needed help get off the plane first. As one of the last passengers on the plane, Sanderson realized that if the airbus sank, he might be sucked down with it. He had no other choice but to take a leap of faith…on this day, literally and figuratively. Sanderson plunged into the frigid 36-degree waters of the Hudson, and started to swim to the nearest rescue ferry heading toward the scene. As the last of his strength ebbed, he was pulled aboard, taken ashore, and rushed to the hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia and an eye injury from exposure to jet fuel. Very little time had elapsed from crash to rescue to his trip to the hospital, where the medical staff was concerned that he might die. “It took only 30 minutes for my life to change forever,” Sanderson said. He explains it in the simplest of terms: an extraordinary event that changed the life of one ordinary person forever. 888.624.3544 Motivated by this near-death experience, the teamwork and resourcefulness demonstrated that day by him and his fellow passengers, and the compassion shown to him by rescuers, emergency professionals and concerned volunteers who looked after him, Dave Sanderson has made it his life’s work to give back. In the 6 years since the crash, he has transitioned from a successful sales career to motivational speaking and mentoring, translating the Miracle on the Hudson into an inspirational message that resonates far beyond what happened that day, and which he hopes will be relevant to everyone in his audience. “I think that people are looking for leaders. People are looking for insight on how to handle unexpected challenges. When something tough happens in your life, how can you get through it? They’re seeking advice from people who’ve been there,” he explains, and adds: “It’s not just about surviving a plane crash. Everything I’d learned about solving problems, big and small, coalesced that day for me and 149 other passengers on the plane. You may never have that experience, but what worked that day can work every day in your life, and that’s what people understand and draw strength from,” Sanderson says. The themes he addresses in his appearances include: Courage with Conviction Developing Your Inner Hero Leading with Certainty Managing Your Mind During a Crisis The Power of Personal Responsibility Faith, Trust and Gratitude A Mindset of Resourcefulness Sanderson had always wondered what it would be like to inspire others, and today, he has found a way to do that. He says: “Something happens to my audience in the hearing, and something new happens to me in the telling.” 888.624.3544 ABOUT DAVE SANDERSON, MANAGING PARTNER AND PRESIDENT OF DAVE SANDERSON SPEAKS Since the Miracle on the Hudson, considered to be the most successful ditching in aviation history, Dave Sanderson has built a career as a motivational speaker, mentor and author. Currently, Sanderson averages over 100 speeches a year for major corporations across the United States as well as overseas, including Baylor and James Madison Universities, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, BP, Canada Life, Delta Airlines, Entrepreneurs Society of America, eWomen Network, and Toyota. In his presentations, he shares The 12 Pillars of Resourcefulness, precepts that enabled him to become a top producer in some of the largest sales organizations in the world and ultimately enabled him to survive the plane crash. In addition, Sanderson has appeared at countless fundraisers that have raised over $7.5 million for the American Red Cross. He continues to donate his speaker services to the organization as an expression of gratitude for the care he received from the first person he saw after he was rescued and transferred to land in New Jersey: a Red Cross volunteer with a blanket. In his new book, slated for publication in Summer 2015, Sanderson discusses lessons learned from the Miracle on the Hudson and how to take a potentially tragic experience and turn it into an opportunity to survive and thrive. A firsthand account of his experience aboard US Airways Flight 1549 appears in the book Brace for Impact: Miracle on the Hudson Survivors Share Their Stories of Near Death and Hope for New Life by Dorothy Firman and Kevin Quirk. He has also participated in a new documentary produced and directed by Rick Lopez, which will premiere at the Long Island Film Festival in August 2015. Sanderson was born in Peoria, Illinois, and grew up in Hillsboro, Ohio and Winchester, Virginia. His dreams of playing college football were dashed when he suffered a career-ending knee injury. He attended James Madison University and was graduated with a BBA in International Business. He began his professional career in restaurant management, and went on to work as a National Sales Manager for ADP; Management Consultant for KPMG, Senior Vice President of Sales for Genesis 10; Application Sales Manager for Oracle, and Security Director for Robbins Research International, Inc., An Anthony Robbins Company. He lives with Terri, his wife of 28 years and his four children – Chelsey, Colleen, Courtney and Chance – in Charlotte, North Carolina. To learn more about Dave Sanderson, and for contact information, go to www.DaveSandersonSpeaks.com. On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ DaveSandersonSpeaks On Twitter: @DaveSanderson2. LinkedIn: David Sanderson 888.624.3544 Testimonials for Dave Sanderson “Dave Sanderson captivated his audience with his authentic story. He was our speaker in November for our eWomenNetwork networking event. After introducing Dave, I sat in the back of the room and witnessed an engaging presentation about his experience after the plane he was on went down in the Hudson River. All eyes were on him as he gave heroic details and personal connections about those who survived with him after the accident. Dave is an amazing person with a brave heart. He touched our hearts with his own dramatic story of the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’. “ Lori Dvorak, Executive Managing Director, eWomenNetwork, Greater Charlotte Region Chapter “I wanted to reach out to you and thank you very much for taking time out of your schedule to speak at the eWomen Network luncheon. Your story is very powerful and gives great confirmation to the fact that we all have purpose on earth. Delores “Gigi” Hamilton-Butler, LPCS, NCC, CSAC, Personal Enrichment Counseling & Consulting Services, PLLC “When I was working for the American Red Cross, I asked Dave if he would be our keynote speaker at a major fundraiser. When he said yes, we knew we could anticipate a sold-out event, but I could never have anticipated the effect his inspirational words had on our guests. While he spoke, the usual murmuring came to a complete standstill and you could have heard the proverbial pin drop in the room. Afterwards, so many attendees told me that they found his message to be life-affirming and unforgettable. I highly recommend David to you as a speaker -- yes, he will tell you about what it was like to be part of the Miracle on the Hudson, but that is just the beginning of his story. It is what he learned from that experience and how he has applied what he has learned that will stick with you…and may even inform your own choices.” Theresa Corigliano, Chief Communications Officer,American Red Cross Los Angeles Region (2012-2104) 888.624.3544 “When Dave Sanderson finished speaking at the LIDMA Annual Conference it was clear that his message was powerful and resonated with everyone in the audience by the standing ovation he received…he is inspiring, motivational, engaging and has a great sense of humor! Dave’s stage presence and presentation style are outstanding for a closing keynote session.