• Classify all positions in the classified service according to their respective duties and responsibilities,
• Fix rates of compensation for all classes of positions,
• Approve or disapprove disbursements for all personal services,
• Determine by competitive examination and performance exclusively on the basis of merit, efficiency, and fitness the qualifications of all candidates for positions in the classified service,
• Make rules and regulations covering all personnel transactions, and
• Regulate all conditions of employment in the classified service.

The Civil Service Commission is charged with translating this mandate into action to help the state meet the challenges of the workplace of tomorrow.

Attorney Thomas (Mac) Wardrop is a partner with Wardrop and Wardrop, P.C. in Grand Rapids.  Mr. Wardrop specializes in civil practice, with an emphasis on commercial and tort litigation.  Originally from Mt. Pleasant, Mr. Wardrop received his Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University and his JD from the University of Detroit School of Law, where he graduated cum laude and was a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence.  Mr. Wardrop is a member of the Local Officers Compensation Commission for the City of Grand Rapids.  He previously served as a member of the City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, St. Paul the Apostle School Board, and Kentwood Jaycees.  Commissioner Wardrop’s term expires December 31, 2016.


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Charles Blockett brings 45 years of experience in human resource administration, including 15 years as director of the state of Michigan's selection and/or classification system for state employees.  Today his firm, Charles Blockett, Jr. & Associates, Inc. provides a full range of personnel services including executive searches and recruitment, development of customized assessment tools, classification and compensation studies, performance evaluation systems, employee handbooks and human resources policies and procedures.  He is a former consultant with the National Academy of Public Administration, and is a past-president and honorary life member of the International Personnel Management Association, which he has represented in Europe, Africa, Asia and Canada.  Mr. Blockett has a BA in Sociology from Wayne State and an MA in Public Administration from the University of Detroit.  He also completed the John F. Kennedy Program for Senior Executives for state and local government at Harvard University. Commissioner Blockett's term expires 12/31/2014.

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Robert W. Swanson of Lansing has more than 34 years of state and local government service in the state of Michigan.  He retired in 2007 as Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG), where he had also been Deputy Director.  As Department Director, Mr. Swanson served as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet; oversaw the implementation of a number of key economic transformation initiatives; chaired or served on more than a dozen boards and commissions relating to state and local economic development, government finance, work force development, land use, and higher education; and directed the more than 30 state agencies housed in DLEG.  Mr. Swanson also served as Director of Finance for the City of Lansing from 1995 to 2002 and Staff Director of the Michigan House Committee on Taxation from 1986 to 1994.  Mr. Swanson is a graduate of Michigan State University, and obtained a political science bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in history.  Commissioner Swanson’s term expires December 31, 2018.