Patrick Farrell Is A Mapp Cabinet Member Who Will Keep His Job With New Administration

State Director of Veterans Affairs Patrick Farrell will continue to serve in the Bryan administration, Governor-elect Albert Bryan told The Consortium during a V.I.P.C. interview on Wednesday. Mr. Bryan has said some Mapp cabinet members whose operations at the government arms they led were proven to be successful, would be considered to be part of his government. During the Wednesday night interview, Mr. Bryan lauded the efforts of Mr. Farrell.

“I really am impressed with Patrick Farrell and the job that he’s doing,” Mr. Bryan said. “He’s making fine clothes out of crocus bag. Really dedicated. When I was doing the radio talk show The Round Table, he would come on before me, and I was amazed at how he could always find something to talk about for an hour, the guests that he brought on and his real dedication to veterans.”

The governor-elect’s decision was also partly influenced by a friend who suffers with post-traumatic stress disorder — a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Many war veterans suffer with the disorder, whose symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

“I have a good friend that suffers from PTSD, and I don’t speak to him on a regular basis, and he reached out, texted me, and said ‘whatever you do, you don’t move Patrick Farrell because that guy has just contributed so much to me,'” Mr. Bryan said.

The governor-elect has remained tight-lipped about individuals being considered for cabinet positions. He said a group of individuals, among them Lieutenant Governor-elect Tregenza Roach, are responsible for vetting candidates, and stressed that while there have been some considerations, cabinet positions had yet been secured.

“There are a lot of people making calls around to influence their position, but my suggestion is get your résumé, get on our website,” he said. Mr. Bryan said while politics would affect some decisions, the process his teams are utilizing to fill critical positions in government, is what has been known to work: qualifications, determined through education and experience.

“When we evaluate people, the things that I told them are important were your qualifications, your experience; I think it is important — not necessary — but it is better for you to have an understanding of how this government works. I think that’s a unique advantage,” he said.