A.  The governor shall appoint an executive director who shall exercise all control over all executive functions and the general operation of the authority.  The authority may through its executive director employ such other agents and employees permanent and temporary, as it may require and shall determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation.  The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.  All employees of the authority shall be responsible to the executive director who shall organize the personnel employed by the authority in the most efficient manner to accomplish the purpose of the authority as provided in this Chapter and by regulations established by the authority, all to be accomplished in accordance with applicable civil service laws, rules, and regulations.

B.  The secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development shall fix the compensation of the executive director, which shall be reasonable in light of fees charged by the authority to provide for its administrative costs attributable to the authority development program.

C.  All employees of the authority, except the executive director, an assistant executive director, an executive secretary to the executive director, and professional employees employed on a contract basis, shall be in the classified service of the state.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 444, §1; Amended by Acts 1976, No. 378, §1; Acts 1986, No. 962, §1; Acts 2011, No. 207, §10(A).