(a) (1) (A) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall appoint a director through a search and selection process that includes substantial input, review, and recommendation from the Presidents Council, subject to confirmation by the Governor.
(B) The director shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
(2) The director shall serve as a member of the Governor's cabinet as the advocate for higher education.
(3)
(A) The director and other staff employed by the board shall demonstrate competence in the field of institutional management or agency management, institutional finance, financial aid, or institutional research.
(B) The director shall exhibit advanced coordination and communication skills.
(b) The salary of the director and other members of the staff employed by the board shall be comparable to the positions requiring similar qualifications and experience.
(c) The staff of the board shall be under the direction and supervision of the director.
(d) The board shall be provided sufficient operating funds to enable it to carry out adequately the programs and functions assigned to the Department of Higher Education.
(e) The central office of the department shall be maintained in Little Rock.
(f)
(1) The board shall evaluate the director annually.
(2) The council shall provide an evaluation report of the department and the director to the board at least annually.