2023 Tennessee Hall of Fame Inductee
Todd Farrell started his service with Boys & Girls Clubs more than 15 years ago while managing an M&M Mars manufacturing company in Tennessee (where he was responsible for producing every Twix candy bar in the world!).
Todd’s first volunteer work with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region consisted of using his personal equipment for several outdoor projects. Once on the Board of Directors, this work continued … and continues to this day! As co-chair of our property management committee, Todd’s leadership has impacted more than a dozen major projects throughout our local organization, projects which have provided life-changing opportunities for our youth. Todd has overseen the installation of three new playgrounds, a parameter fence around one facility, an irrigation system for our ballfields, and a large landscaping project for our administrative offices and bike track, has completed a significant renovation at one of our largest Club facilities, and is currently helping design and create a mountain bike track. Todd’s efforts span our five-county footprint for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region.
Todd’s true passion for the Club began after hearing a session of stories presented by our Youth of the Year contestants. Hearing the youth credit their life changes to the organization, Todd decided to become more involved with the leadership structure of the local organization. His emerging role as a “Thought Leader” would soon be called upon by Board Development Chair, Bobby Greene, to become our first Vice President, and in February of 2015 to take over the responsibility of leading the organization as Chief Volunteer officer. His years as the CVO will be remembered and marked as years of growth and change for Boys & Girls Club of the Ocoee Region, as service was expanded from two to four counties and we added eight new Boys & Girls Club units. Todd himself personally helped with the construction of the Meigs County Unit. Soon after, Todd became the perfect leader to successfully navigate a large Boys & Girls Club merger, or as it was known internally, a “strategic alliance.” Todd’s talents in his approach to obtaining “strategic priorities” later afforded him opportunities to serve several Boys & Girls Club organizations across the Southeast region.
Since becoming involved in leadership, Todd’s accolades are second to none. He was selected as Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region’s 2016-17 Board Member of the Year; he was awarded the TN Area Council’s Board Member of the Year in 2018; and, in 2019, was elected Chair of the Tennessee Area Council. Most recently, in 2023, Todd was awarded the Extra Mile Award at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region’s annual Clubby’s awards banquet.
Todd’s approachable nature and insight allows board members and staff alike to freely call on him for insight and guidance. His time and efforts span all levels of our organization as he has participated in special events for our youth, helped build an ice cream maker, drove tractors for hayrides, cooked hot dogs, participated in field trips, and has been a presence in many of our local Club sites. In a class with notable leaders only found once in a lifetime, Todd Farrell is highly regarded as one known for his wisdom, his approach to handling issues, his vision, his fairness, his sweat equity, his ability to grow those around him, and his steadfast devotion to improving a child’s overall life experience. His dedication to the BGCA movement has not wavered in the past 15 years but rather has grown more profound as he continues seeking avenues to invest his time and talents to serve youth across Tennessee. Todd’s sole purpose is to create a better tomorrow for our youth. He has made great strides in doing just that!
