• 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 commission is charged with translating this mandate into action to help the state meet the challenges of the workplace of tomorrow.

Commissioner James (Jim) Barrett was the president and chief executive officer of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce for 32 years.  Mr. Barrett was also president of Michigan Chamber Services, Inc. and the Michigan Chamber Foundation.  In 2008 he founded Management and Marketing Advisory Services LLC, which consults on product marketing, public policy, and foundation and association management.  He is also a venture-capital investor focused on growth stage companies.  Mr. Barrett was inducted into the Michigan Society of Association Executives Hall of Fame in 2002 and was selected in 2003 as the top association leader in Michigan over the last 50 years by the Michigan Political History Society.  He was past chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, Michigan Society of Executive Association, Council of State Chambers, and Michigan Chamber of Commerce Executive Association.  Mr. Barrett holds a bachelor’s degree in financial administration from Michigan State University.  Commissioner Barrett’s term expires December 31, 2020.

Commissioner
Jase Bolger

Jase Bolger is president of Tusker Strategies, which specializes in public-policy advising. He was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2008 and served as Speaker of the house from 2011 to 2014. Previously, he served two terms on the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Bolger holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a dual major in finance and political science from Western Michigan University and completed the Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership at the Aspen Institute. Mr. Bolger earned the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America. Commissioner Bolger’s term expires December 31, 2024.

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Janet McClelland has more than 30 years of experience in human resources administration for the state. She served as deputy director and chief deputy director for the Michigan Civil Service Commission from 1996 to 2014. During this period, she served as acting state personnel director three times. Ms. McClelland has served as a member of the Advisory Board for the MSU School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, on the State Employees Retirement System Board, and as executive secretary to the State Ethics Board. Ms. McClelland holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Western Illinois University and a master's degree in human resources and labor relations from Michigan State University. She also completed the John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program at Harvard University. Commissioner McClelland's term expires December 31, 2022.

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Robert W. Swanson has more than 34 years of state and local government service in the state.  He retired in 2007 as director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG), where he had also been deputy director.  As director, Mr. Swanson served as a member of the governor’s cabinet; oversaw implementation of several key economic-transformation initiatives; chaired or served on over a dozen boards and commissions relating to state and local economic development, government finance, workforce development, land use, and higher education; and directed over 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 holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master’s degree in history from Michigan State University.  Commissioner Swanson’s term expires December 31, 2018.