Co-pilot in '09 Hudson River landing speaks Friday

Jeff Skiles, co-pilot of US Airways Flight 1549, which made an lifesaving emergency landing on the Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009, will be the keynote speaker of the annual Saint Francis Medical Center Business Health Summit.

The summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday in the Saint Francis Conference Center, providing area human resources professionals, safety officers and risk management personnel with insights about employee workers' compensation and maintaining health and wellness among employees. There is no charge to attend.

As co-pilot during the "Miracle on the Hudson," Skiles played a key role in teaming with Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger to save the 155 passengers aboard the flight. At the Business Health Summit, Skiles will share his story and explain how to use the lessons he learned that day to help organizations operate at peak efficiency.

A general contractor who builds houses when he's not flying, Skiles says he understands what businesses are going through. He attributes the success of the emergency landing on the Hudson to the extensive training of all members of a flight crew. His presentation, "Adapt, React and Don't Fear a Change of Course," focuses on how all members of an organization, working together, can face challenges and reach greatness.

Additional presentations are "Five Poisons in the Workplace" by Dr. Glen E. Cooper and Dr. Dennis J. Straubinger, occupational medicine physicians at Saint Francis; "Pain Management in the Workplace" by Dr. Carmen N. Keith, pain management physician at Saint Francis; "Sleep Disturbances in the Workplace" by Dr. W. Keith Graham, pulmonologist/sleep medicine physician at Saint Francis; and "Ergonomics in the Workplace" by Robert L. Bunger, certified athletic trainer/ergonomic assessment specialist at Saint Francis.

For more information or to register at no cost, email jstreiler@sfmc.net or call 573-331-5877. People are asked to register by today, as space is limited.

* Benchmark Healthcare broke ground Tuesday on a new $10 million, 46,000-square-foot senior health care living and rehabilitation center in Sikeston, Mo. The project is expected to bring 130 to 150 jobs to the area, according to a news release. The new Benchmark Healthcare Sikeston will have hospitality-type amenities, such as large flat-screen TVs and wireless Internet service, private suites, two dining areas, as well as two courtyards with water features. It is on the corner of Colonel George E. Day Parkway and John Austin Avenue in Sikeston.

* Birthright of Cape Girardeau hosted the Birthright state meeting Sept. 21 and 22.

There are 19 Birthrights in Missouri offering free and confidential pregnancy testing and counseling. Pastor Ted Torreson, outreach pastor at St. Paul Lutheran in Jackson, gave the opening reflection. Kristi Hoff, a partner with Bradshaw, Steele Cochrane & Berens, brought attendees up-to-date on family law issues. Counselor Denise Essner and nurse Jane Unterreiner of Southeast Hospital gave a presentation on speaking to the college-age woman. That was followed by Sister Theresa Davey, OSU, Christian service coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul Church. She spoke on the culture of poverty and ways her clients have been teachers to her.

* National Asset Recovery Services Inc. is hiring more than 150 people for newly created positions at its Cape Girardeau call center. People may send resumes to capejobs@narsnet.com or call 651-3803 to schedule an interview. NARS and its affiliate companies, Pinnacle Financial Group and Integrity Financial Partners, currently employ more than 3,500 people at 11 call centers in the U.S., Panama and Jamaica. The company provides business process outsourcing services to financial service firms in the U.S. Its Cape Girardeau expansion includes full- and part-time positions.

Business anniversaries

* Hobby Lobby, headquartered in Oklahoma City, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The company has more than 500 stores in 48 states, including 16 stores in Missouri. Its 62,000-square-foot Cape Girardeau location on Kingshighway opened April 12, 1993. Store manager Nancy Ellis has been with Hobby Lobby since 2003. This location employs about 50 full- and part-time employees who average eight to 10 years of service with the company.

Southeast Missourian Business Editor Melissa Miller can be reached by email at mmiller@semissourian.com or by phone at 388-3646.