The Director of the State Plant Board may designate one (1) of his or her employees to appear on behalf of the director in any proceedings before the court with respect to the receivership, and to exercise the functions of the director as receiver, except that the director shall determine whether or not to petition for the appointment as receiver, shall approve the proposed plan for disposition of processed catfish, shall approve the proposed plan for distribution of any cash proceeds, and shall approve the proposed final report.