On September 1, 1995, the management of the Alabama Film Office shall be vested in a director who shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve at his or her pleasure. The salary shall be established by the Governor at an amount not to exceed forty-eight thousand dollars ($48,000) annually and adjusted thereafter consistent with general cost-of-living adjustments approved for state employees. In fixing the salary, the Governor shall give due consideration to the salaries of comparable positions in other states in the southeast. The director shall have the same rights, privileges, benefits, and membership status in the Employees’ Retirement System as other unclassified employees in the state service.