It shall be the duty of the State Service Commissioner to appoint a department representative for any Alabama state veterans' home, subject to approval of the State Board of Veterans' Affairs. The department representative position herein provided for shall be exempt status (non-merit), and shall be subject to guidelines as established herein. Each department representative will be appointed on the basis of education, ability, and experience in the administration of medical facilities and/or nursing homes, without regard to political affiliations. Each department representative shall perform his duties in accordance with the rules, guidelines, and general policies as may be established by the State Board of Veterans' Affairs and as provided in this chapter. Each department representative shall serve at the pleasure of the State Board of Veterans' Affairs, and shall receive such compensation as shall be determined by the board with the approval of the Governor of the state. Each department representative shall publish annually a full report of the operations and administration of the state veterans' home that is under his administration, together with recommendations and suggestions for improvements in facilities and services, and submit such report to the State Board of Veterans' Affairs.