(a) There is created the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
(b)
(1) The executive head of the commission shall be the Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The director shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice of the Arkansas Economic Development Council and the consent of the Senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
(2) The director shall report to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce.
(c) The commission shall consist of the divisions that may be necessary to fulfill its purposes and that may be created by law and placed under the commission.
(d) The director, with the advice and consent of the Governor, shall appoint the heads of the respective divisions. All other personnel of the commission shall be employed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the director. However, nothing in this section shall be so construed as to reduce any right that an employee of the commission shall have under any civil service or merit system.
(e) Each division of the commission shall be under the direction, control, and supervision of the director. The director may delegate his or her functions, powers, and duties to various divisions of the commission as he or she shall deem desirable and necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the commission.
(f) All personnel of the commission are employees of the Department of Commerce.