An Army Reserve captain has been named the director of the new G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans located at Mississippi State University.

Andrew S. Rendon, a Blackhawk helicopter pilot whose active service included Balkan peacekeeping duties during the late 1990s, will serve as the primary link to military veterans who enroll at MSU.

Rendon also will work off campus to recruit others to pursue a higher education at the university.

The Montgomery Center was conceived by MSU President Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong, a retired four-star general who commanded U.S. Air Force operations in Europe prior to his retirement earlier this year.

Montgomery was an MSU alumnus who marked his distinguished congressional career with work on behalf of service men and women.

“We will focus primarily on three major initiatives,” said Rendon, also a graduate of MSU. “In addition to recruiting, they will include academic and career enhancement, and job placement assistance.”

Rendon said a Nov. 18 open house and reception will formally launch the program’s operation.