A. The chief executive and administrative officer of the department is the "secretary of workforce solutions". The secretary shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. The secretary shall hold office at the pleasure of the governor and shall serve in the executive cabinet.
B. A secretary who has been appointed but not yet confirmed shall serve and have all the duties, responsibilities and authority assigned by law to that office during the period of time prior to the final action by the senate to confirm or reject the appointment.