(a)      (1)      Appointment. The Board shall appoint the executive director of the Corporation, who shall be a nonvoting ex officio member of the Board.

            (2)      Duties, Generally. The executive director shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and, in accordance with this subtitle and policies established by the Board, shall have the responsibility and authority for:

                  (i)      The day-to-day administration of the affairs of the Corporation;

                  (ii)      The appointment and removal of such employees as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle;

                  (iii)      The making of grants and the entering into of contracts; and

                  (iv)      The exercise of other powers incident to the office of the executive director and the performance of those duties as the Board may prescribe.

            (3)      Salary. The executive director shall receive a salary as provided in the budget of the Corporation.

            (4)      Removal. The executive director may be removed by a majority of the Board.

      (b)      (1)      No political test or political qualification may be used in selecting, appointing, promoting, or taking any other personal action with respect to any officer, agent, or employee of the Corporation.

            (2)      Employees of the Corporation shall receive salaries as provided in the budget.

            (3)      Employees of the Corporation are not employees of the State.