In order to safeguard life, health, and property and to promote the general public welfare by requiring that only properly qualified persons be permitted to engage in general contracting, there shall be a State Licensing Board for General Contractors, consisting of five members, who shall be citizens of this state and appointed by the Governor. Each of the members shall be a general contractor, within the meaning of this chapter, with at least 10 years’ experience in the field as a contractor. At least one member of the board shall have as a larger part of his or her business the construction of highways. At least one member of the board shall have as a larger part of his or her business the construction of public utilities. At least one member shall have as a larger part of his or her business the construction of buildings. At least one member of the board shall have as a larger part of his or her business the performance of construction work as a subcontractor. The members of the board shall be appointed for one, two, three, four, and five years respectively, their terms of office expiring on December 31 of those years. Thereafter, on the thirty-first day of December in each year the Governor shall appoint to fill the vacancies caused by the expiration of the term of office a member for a term of five years. In appointing members to the board, the Governor shall select those persons whose appointments, to the extent possible, ensure that the membership of the board is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state. Each member shall hold over after the expiration of his or her term until his or her successor shall be duly appointed and qualified. If a vacancy shall occur on the board for any cause, the vacancy shall be filled by the appointment of the Governor, and the Governor may remove any member of the board at any time, with or without cause.