(a) The Authority may hire an Executive Director who serves as the chief executive officer of the Authority.

(b) The Executive Director shall:

(1) direct and supervise the administrative activities of the Authority, in accordance with its regulations and policies;

(2) attend all meetings of the Authority;

(3) keep minutes of all proceedings of the Authority;

(4) approve all accounts for salaries, per diem payments, and all allowable expenses of the Authority, its employees, and its consultants;

(5) approve all expenses incidental to the operation of the Authority;

(6) report and make recommendations to the Authority on the merits and status of any proposed facility; and

(7) perform the other duties that the Authority requires to carry out this subtitle.

(c) The Executive Director shall serve at the pleasure of the Authority.

(d) (1) The Authority may employ or retain staff as deemed necessary or advisable, including consultants, engineers, architects, accountants, financial experts, construction experts and personnel, superintendents, managers, and other professional personnel.

(2) Subject to the approval of the Authority and pursuant to its approved budget, the Executive Director shall determine the compensation of all staff that the Authority employs or retains.

(e) (1) The Attorney General is the legal advisor to the Authority.

(2) With the approval of the Attorney General, the Authority may retain any additional legal counsel as necessary.

(f) (1) With respect to any agreements entered into by the Authority under this subtitle and except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Authority is exempt from Division II of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

(2) The Authority is subject to Title 12, Subtitle 4 and Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.