(1) The executive head of the Department of Corrections shall be the Secretary of the Department of Corrections.
(2) The Governor shall nominate to the Board of Corrections a candidate for secretary, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(3) The Board of Corrections shall appoint the secretary who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Corrections.
(4) The board is not required to appoint the nominee under subdivision (b)(1) of this section.
(5) The secretary may perform all duties to administer the Department of Corrections, subject to Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 33, including without limitation: Delegate to the employees of the Department of Corrections any of the powers or duties of the department required to administer the: Statutory duties; or
(6) Rules, orders, or directives promulgated or issued by the state entities transferred to or established within the department;
(7) Hire department personnel; and
(8) Perform or assign duties assigned to the department.