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Miracle on Hudson’ survivor speaker for Chamber banquet

Vallie Collins

Vallie Collins, a passenger on US Airways Flight 1549 that landed in New York’s Hudson River, will be the guest speaker for the 33rd annual banquet of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce on Friday, February 6.

Tickets are currently on sale for the dinner, to be held at Stokely Memorial Cafeteria on the campus of Carson-Newman University. The cost is $50 for Chamber members, and $75 for non-members. Call 397-9642 to purchase tickets.

The annual Chamber banquet begins with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner at 7 p.m. The event features the installation of new officers and board members, a report on the work of the Chamber during 2014, and several special awards to citizens and businesses for outstanding service to the county.

Collins lives in Maryville with her husband and three children. In 2009, she was a senior account manager for a contract manufacturer of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products. In that capacity, she found herself aboard Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009, becoming part of what is now known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

Collins will share details of her experience during the flight and the rescue of all aboard, due to the skill of captain Sully Sullenberger and the crew in landing the plane successfully in the Hudson River. In addition, she will share key things she has learned from the experience that will hopefully inspire and motivate all to treasure each day, because “every day is a lucky day.”

In case of inclement weather, the Chamber banquet will be held on Friday, February 20.
By Dale Gentry –Standard Banner Publisher |Tuesday, January 20, 2015