(1) By a majority vote of the full State Highway Commission, the commission shall appoint a Director of State Highways and Transportation.
(2) The director shall be a practical business or professional person. At the time of appointment, the director may be a nonresident of the State of Arkansas.
(3) The director shall: Devote full time and attention to the duties set out herein;
(4) Receive compensation as fixed by the commission, unless a salary is fixed by the General Assembly in the appropriation act;
(5) Be reimbursed for actual traveling expenses while engaged in the discharge of duties;
(6) Be the chief executive officer of the Arkansas Department of Transportation and, subject to the approval of the commission, have direct and full control and management of the affairs relating to the state highways; and
(7) Attend all meetings of the commission and furnish the members with all information they may require for the proper administration of the department.
(8) The director may be removed from office by a majority vote of the full commission.