1. The governor, subject to confirmation by the senate, shall appoint an executive director of the authority, who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The executive director shall be selected primarily for administrative ability and knowledge in the field, without regard to political affiliation. The executive director shall not, directly or indirectly, exert influence to induce any other officers or employees of the state to adopt a political view, or to favor a political candidate for office.
 2. The executive director shall advise the authority on matters relating to housing and housing finance, carry out all directives from the authority, and hire and supervise the authority’s staff pursuant to its directions. All employees of the authority are exempt from the merit system provisions of chapter 8A, subchapter IV.
 3. The executive director, as secretary of the authority, shall keep a record of the proceedings of the authority and shall be custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the authority and of its minute book and seal. The executive director shall have authority to cause to be made copies of all minutes and other records and documents of the authority and to give certificates under the seal of the authority to the effect that such copies are true copies and all persons dealing with the authority may rely upon such certificates.
 4. The executive director may establish administrative divisions within the authority in order to most efficiently and effectively carry out the authority’s responsibilities, provided that any creation or modification of authority divisions be established only after consultation with the board of the authority.