In this subchapter:
(1) "Employee" means an individual, other than a state officer, employed by a state agency.
(2) "Executive director" means the individual appointed by the governing body of a state agency as chief administrative officer of the agency and includes the chancellor or highest executive officer of a university system and the president of a public senior college or university as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(3) "Pool administrator" means the individual appointed by the governing body of a state agency to administer the agency's sick leave pool.
(4) "State agency" means:
(A) a board, commission, department, or other agency in the executive branch of state government created by the constitution or a statute of the state;
(B) an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;
(C) a legislative agency, but not either house or a member of the legislature; or
(D) the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, a court of appeals, or a state judicial agency.
(5) "State officer" means an elected or appointed officer of a state agency or an executive director.