RAYMOND, Miss. -- Angus Catchot assumed the role of interim head of the Mississippi State University Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center Sept. 1.

Catchot, who is currently the associate director of operations for the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, will provide temporary leadership for the center’s faculty and staff, as well as the region’s branch experiment stations. Sherry Surrette, who served as center head since 2012, has accepted a position with MSU as associate Extension professor of environmental education.

“We appreciate Dr. Catchot taking on this interim role and splitting his time between his MAFES operations role and the CMREC and its outlying branch stations,” said Experiment Station Director Scott Willard. “With nearly two decades of experience as a university specialist, Catchot can help guide the activities of the center, which serves regional, statewide and national stakeholders.”

“We are thankful for the 10 and a half years of service Dr. Surrette provided to the central region of the state, and we look forward to her accomplishments in her new role,” Willard said.

Catchot previously served Mississippi’s row crop producers for 18 years as an entomologist with the MSU Extension Service.

The Raymond-based center is the hub of operations for 20 Extension offices and three branch experiment stations in southwest Mississippi. As head of the center, Catchot will oversee the region’s county Extension offices, faculty and staff.

“Dr. Catchot understands Extension’s mission of delivering research-based information to Mississippians,” said Steve Martin, Extension Service interim director. “His experience provides valuable insight as he leads the region’s faculty and staff in their educational service work.”

The Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center is one of four regional centers in the state.