JACKSON Miss.

Gov. Haley Barbour has appointment Gen. Leon Collins to the Workers Compensation Commission.

Collins will serve an unexpired term that ends Dec. 31, 2008.

"Gen. Collins has an extensive background in management experience, including an impressive military resume that demonstrates his leadership abilities," Barbour said in a statement. "His business qualifications along with his service in a variety of community organizations will help him in his work on this important commission."

The commission enforces the Mississippi Workers Compensation Law.

Collins, a Booneville native who now lives in Jackson, became the first black general in the Mississippi National Guard when he was promoted in 2005. He also spent a year in Iraq as commander of the 155th Brigade Combat Team, which was made up of nearly 3,500 Mississippians and other soldiers from across the country.

The 155th was the largest contingent of Mississippi Guard troops to deploy to a war zone since World War II. The soldiers spent most of 2005 in Iraq.

Barbour said Collins will retire from the military, where he has worked as director of mobilization of the United States Army Forces Command in Fort McPherson, Ga., since February 2006.

Collins has a bachelors degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi and a masters degree in business administration from Jackson State University.

He graduated with a masters degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College in 2000.


- Associated Press

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