The authority may employ a chief executive officer who shall serve at the pleasure of the board of directors of the authority. The chief executive officer shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him or her by the authority and such duties as are required of him or her by law. He or she shall receive such compensation as may properly be fixed by the authority. In addition, he or she shall be entitled to remuneration for his or her necessary traveling expenses consistent with the general law.
The qualifications of the chief executive officer shall be determined by the authority.
The chief executive officer may employ, with the approval of the authority, such professional, technical, and clerical persons as may be authorized by the authority; and the authority, upon the recommendation of the chief executive officer, shall define the duties and fix the compensation of such employees. Said employees shall serve at the pleasure of the authority. The authority shall comply with the required procedures so that said employees shall be eligible to participate in the State Employees’ Retirement System.