It would be understandable if you saw Peter Farrell in the General Assembly Building and thought he was a legislative intern. A youthful looking 28, he could easily pass for a college student.

But Farrell isn’t working for a lawmaker; he is one. A Republican, he represents the 56th House District, which includes Louisa County and parts of Goochland, Henrico and Spotsylvania counties.

Farrell entered the 56th House District race after the incumbent delegate, Bill Janis, resigned to run for commonwealth’s attorney in Henrico County. GOP leaders selected Farrell as the party’s nominee, and he ran unopposed for the seat.

His father, Thomas Farrell, is president, chairman and chief executive officer of Dominion Resources, the Richmond-based energy conglomerate.

Gov. Bob McDonnell appointed the elder Farrell to chair the Governor’s Higher Education Commission and to sit on Virginia Commonwealth University’s governing board.

Del. Farrell raised more than $133,000 for his House campaign. The Republican Party chipped in $22,000, Farrell’s father donated $10,000, and several large contributions came from prominent Richmond-area residents.

For instance, Richard Cullen, chairman of the McGuireWoods law firm, gave Farrell $8,325, and William Goodwin Jr., chairman of CCA Industries, provided $5,000, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, which compiles campaign finance data.

Farrell doesn’t let his age or newcomer status hold him back. He brings a light, unassuming attitude to his job, with a willingness to meet anyone.

“I have an open-door policy,” Farrell said. “If I’m here, I will talk to them.”

Being among the youngest of the 100 delegates can be an advantage: It gives Farrell a fresh perspective on issues – and an opportunity to be a voice for the next generation.

“I think it’s a good thing. We have every right to serve,” he said. “We’re the group of people that are buying our first houses, our first home.”

Farrell graduated from the University of Virginia in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in government. He is the founder of Recast Energy, which provides thermal energy to industrial customers.

In his business, Farrell said that he has dealt with government regulations and red tape and that he understands “the necessity of a business climate that encourages investments and growth.”

A vice chairman of the Henrico County Republican Committee, Farrell describes himself as “a commonsense conservative who knows we need to get back to the basics.”

In a recent interview in his Capitol Square office, Farrell said the strength of the General Assembly is that it includes people from all walks of life.

“We’re a citizen legislature. We have doctors and a wide array of perspectives to start out with a bill,” Farrell said. “So many people see it, so we have a vast array of different perspectives.”

He filed 11 bills for consideration this legislative session. Two already have passed the House – including a measure that would give health care providers access to the state’s data on immunizations and newborn screening records.

Government operations and politics weren’t on Farrell’s mind when he was growing up. Instead, he dreamed of being an actor. After a failed attempt in New York City at achieving his Hollywood dreams, Farrell set his sights on other endeavors.

His interest in movies still lives with him, and he spends his free time enjoying films.

Like Jimmy Stewart’s self-effacing character in the Frank Capra classic “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” Farrell said he hopes to make a difference in government.

“I hope I’m easygoing, willing to listen,” Farrell said. “I hope I’m not boring.”

The Farrell File

Born: June 12, 1983, in Alexandria, Va.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in government,    University of Virginia, 2006

Occupation: Founding member of Recast Energy

Political party: Republican; vice chairman of the Henrico GOP Committee

Delegate for: 56th House District, which includes Louisa County and parts of Goochland, Henrico and Spotsylvania counties

Committee assignments: Courts of Justice and General Laws

Capitol office phone number: 804-698-1056

District office phone number: 804-644-0266

Email address: DelPFarrell@house.virginia.gov

Community involvement: Member of the Tuckahoe YMCA Board of Directors and the Endowment Foundation for Catholic Schools; former member of the Collegiate School Alumni Board

Honors: Named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” leaders in the Richmond area by Style Weekly in 2010