For nearly five decades, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce has annually awarded an individual who has gone above and beyond his or her daily requirements to better the state of Vermont through self-sacrifice, service and volunteerism.  In the crowded field of awards given to Vermont community members, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious. This year, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the Citizen of the Year Award to Mr. Edwin Colodny of Burlington. Mr. Colodny is a native Vermonter who spent his early years in Burlington where his family owned a grocery store.  Much of Colodny s career was embedded in the airline industry.  In 1975, after working his way up in the ranks, he was named President and CEO of US Airways.  Under his leadership, the company was reshaped into a major national carrier. In 2001, Mr. Colodny was asked to take over the University of Vermont leadership and become Interim President.  During a most challenging time, he put the University back on track, establishing a new base for future students, staff and professors. Stepping down from this role, Colodny responded to a request to become Interim CEO of Fletcher Allen Health Care.  In this capacity, he gave essential direction to the medical education center, guiding it through difficult times.  In both critical roles, Vermont is indebted to Colodny for shaping two crucial institutions, enabling them to provide health care, education, research and service to Vermont.  Those that Mr. Colodny worked with during this time admire him for his invaluable leadership and service, denoting him a model of integrity and compassion.”Mr. Colodny has proven through years of service, his dedication to the state of Vermont,” said Betsy Bishop, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. “I have had the pleasure of working directly with Mr. Colodny and have seen his incredible ability to bring together differing perspectives toward a common goal.  His work with many Vermont institutions has laid the foundation for the future of Vermont.”Through years of service and sacrifice, Mr. Colodny has continued to provide Vermont organizations with effective guidance that has created a solid base for education, health care and service statewide. Mr. Colodny currently serves on the Investment Committee of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, helping to guide the organization through a difficult period for the arts.  He is also an honorary chairman for the Endowment Committee for Vermont Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Colodny continues to lend his energy to Vermont Law School, New England Culinary Institute, Shelburne Museum and Fletcher Allen Health Care Foundation. He also serves of counsel to the law firm Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew in Burlington.The Vermont Chamber of Commerce will honor Mr. Edwin Colodny on October 19, 2009 from 5:30 to 8 pm at the Hilton Burlington Hotel.  Tickets are $65 per person and include cocktails, hors d oeuvres, a plated dinner and an opportunity to toast Edwin for his many contributions to and accomplishments in the state of Vermont.To register for this event, log on to www.vtchamber.com(link is external) or contact Antonia Opitz, Director of Events: aopitz@vtchamber.com(link sends e-mail).Source: Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Sept 3, 2009.