(a) The board consists of 12 members appointed by the governor. Each member must be a resident of the state. The board shall be composed of the following members:
(1) one member who has a significant level of experience in the private sector or local government, specializing in financing or economic development or marketing, from each of the following districts:
(A) northern southeast Alaska, representing Haines, Juneau, Gustavus, and Skagway;
(B) central southeast Alaska, representing Petersburg, Sitka, and Wrangell;
(C) southeast Alaska, representing the cities of Angoon, Hoonah, Kake, Pelican, and Tenakee Springs;
(D) the Prince William Sound and Kenai Peninsula areas, representing the cities of Cordova, Valdez, and Whittier, the City and Borough of Yakutat, and the communities of Chenega Bay and Tatitlek;
(E) southwest Alaska, representing the cities of Akutan, Chignik, Cold Bay, False Pass, King Cove, Sand Point, and Unalaska, including Dutch Harbor; and
(F) southcentral Alaska, representing the cities of Old Harbor, Kodiak, Port Lions, Ouzinkie, Seldovia, and Homer;
(2) one marine captain or marine engineer with 20 or more years of experience who is not affiliated with the Alaska marine highway system;
(3) one representative, who may be retired, of a recognized union that represents employees of the Alaska marine highway system;
(4) one business owner who has experience interacting with the Alaska marine highway system;
(5) one travel agent or tourism specialist familiar with various Alaska marine highway reservation systems available to the public; and
(6) two members of the public at large.
(b) For members being appointed under (a)(2) - (6) of this section, there shall be at least one resident of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and at least two members who are residents of areas not directly served by the Alaska marine highway system.
(c) The members of the board shall serve staggered three-year terms. If a vacancy arises on the board, the governor shall, within 30 days after the vacancy arises, appoint a person to serve the balance of the unexpired term. A person appointed to fill the balance of an unexpired term shall serve on the board from the date of appointment until the expiration of the term.
(d) Board members serve at the pleasure of the governor. In addition, a majority of the membership of the board may remove a member if that member misses more than two meetings in a calendar year and has not been previously excused.