(a) The Governor shall appoint the Executive Director of the West Virginia Development Office who is qualified for the position by reason of his or her extensive education and experience in the field of professional economic development. The executive director serves at the will and pleasure of the Governor. The executive director shall have overall management responsibility and administrative control and supervision within the West Virginia Development Office. It is the intention of the Legislature that the executive director provide professional and technical expertise in the field of professional economic and tourism development. Subject to the provisions of the contract provided in section four of this article, the executive director may hire and fire economic development representatives employed pursuant to the provisions of section five of this article.
(b) The Executive Director of the West Virginia Development Office may promulgate rules to carry out the purposes and programs of the West Virginia Development Office to include generally the programs available and the procedure and eligibility of applications relating to assistance under the programs. These rules are not subject to the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, but shall be filed with the Secretary of State. The executive director may adopt any of the rules previously promulgated by the council for community and economic development.