(a) The governing and administrative powers of the authority shall be vested in a board of directors consisting of eleven members, including the transportation secretary, or his or her designee, who shall serve as the chairman of the public port authority, and ten individuals who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate: Provided, That no more than six members shall be members of the same political party.

All directors of the authority shall be residents of the State of West Virginia.

The directors shall annually elect one of their members as vice chairman. The directors shall appoint a person to serve as secretary and as treasurer. The person appointed as treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful performance of his or her duties as custodian of all funds, securities and other investments of the authority in an amount set by the board. The board may elect such other officers from its membership or from its staff as it deems proper, and prescribe their powers and duties. Appointments to fill a vacancy of one of the appointed members shall be made in the same manner as the original appointment.

(b) All appointed members of the board shall be from the private sector, with one member of the board from each congressional district of the state as of the effective date of this article, and shall represent the public interest generally. At least two members shall be appointed that have recognized ability and practical experience in transportation. At least two members may be appointed that have recognized ability and practical experience in banking and finance. At least one member may be appointed that has recognized ability and practical experience in international trade. At least one member may be appointed that has recognized ability and practical experience in business management, economics or accounting. Two members shall be appointed to represent the public at large.

One ex officio member of the board shall be the secretary of the Department of Commerce, labor and environmental resources or his or her designee.

One ex officio member of the board shall be the director of the Governor's office of community and industrial development or his or her designee.

(c) Any member of the board of directors of the public port authority, appointed pursuant to the provisions of this section prior to amendment thereto, and any member of the board of directors of the wayport authority, appointed under the provisions of section two, article sixteen-c of this chapter, prior to repeal of that section, and confirmed by the Senate of West Virginia, and serving in such capacity on the effective date of amendment to this section, shall serve as a member of the board of directors of the public port authority for the duration of the appointed term. Thereafter, their respective successors shall be appointed for terms of three years. Each member shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.

(d) Each director, before entering upon the duties of the board, shall take and subscribe to the oath or affirmation required by the West Virginia Constitution. A record of each such oath or affirmation shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.

(e) Members of the board shall not be entitled to compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for all necessary expenses actually incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as members.

(f) Six members of the board shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of the majority of members present at a meeting of the board shall be necessary and sufficient for any action taken by the board, except that the affirmative vote of at least six members is required for the approval of any resolution authorizing the issuance of any bonds pursuant to this article.

(g) No vacancy in the membership of the board impairs the right of a quorum to exercise all rights and perform all duties of the board. Any action taken by the board may be authorized by resolution at any regular or special meeting and shall take effect upon the date the chairman certifies the action of the authority by affixing his or her signature to the resolution unless some other date is otherwise provided in the resolution.

(h) The board may delegate to one or more of its members or to its officials, agents or employees such powers and duties as it may deem proper.