(1) The Great Smoky Mountains Park commission shall be composed of five (5) members, one (1) member to be appointed by the governor each year, and each member to serve a five-year term.
(2) In order that the members of the commission serve staggered terms, the initial appointments to the commission under this section shall consist of: One (1) member to serve a term of one (1) year;
(3) One (1) member to serve a term of two (2) years;
(4) One (1) member to serve a term of three (3) years;
(5) One (1) member to serve a term of four (4) years; and
(6) One (1) member to serve a term of five (5) years.
(7) Members shall be appointed by June 15 of each year to take office on July 1 of each year.
(8) In the event of a vacancy in the office of a member of the commission, the governor shall appoint a new member of the commission to serve out the remainder of the vacating member's term.
(9) The commissioner or a designee of the department of environment and conservation and the commissioner or a designee of the department of tourist development shall serve as ex officio members of the commission.