Mr. Farrell is responsible for the formulation and implementation of the Commission's mission, policies, strategic plans, directives, organizational structure, and budget oversight, and for the promulgation of regulations to further implement Commission rules.  He provides direct oversight to the Chief Deputy Director and Deputy Director who oversee the Office of Classifications & Selections, Business Application Services, Compensation & Human Resource Training & Development, Human Resource Operations, MI HR Service Center, Employee Benefits, Hearings, Employee Relations & Mediation, Technical Complaints, Personal Services Review (contractual services), Career and Informational Planning, and the Detroit Regional Office.  In August 2007, the Governor issued an Executive Order which consolidated all human resources operations within state government under the direction of the Civil Service Commission and State Personnel Director Farrell.

While under the direction of Mr. Farrell, the Commission has received numerous awards for excellence, including the Computerworld Laureate Medal of Excellence (an international award) for the HR Optimization Project; the International Public Management Association-HR Agency Award for Excellence in Public Sector HR Management; and four awards from the National Association of State Personnel Executives for excellence in Communication best practices.

Mr. Farrell currently serves as a member of the Governor's Cabinet, is the Ex-Officio to the State Board of Ethics, and is on the Michigan Corrections Officers Training Council. He also serves as President of the National Associate of Personnel Executives (NASPE) and is a Certified Professional with the International Public Management Association (IPMA-HR). He has held numerous other positions with personnel associations.

Mr. Farrell possesses a Master of Public Administration degree from Western Michigan University, and a BA from Michigan State University.