The board must appoint a president, and the president handles the authority’s management, staffing, contracts, property, and records.
The board shall appoint a president, as provided in § 7-36-109(a)(1), who shall be chief executive officer of the authority. The salary of the president shall be fixed by the board, and the board may enter into an employment contract with the president for a term of no more than five (5) years containing such terms as the board may deem advisable. The president may be removed by the board, subject to any provisions contained in an employment contract with the president. Within the limits of the funds available, and subject to exercise by the board of the powers reserved to it pursuant to § 7-36-109, all powers of the authority granted in this chapter shall be exercised by the president and the various officers and employees of the authority. The president shall have charge of the management and operation of the systems and the enforcement and execution of all rules, regulations, programs, plans, and decisions made or adopted by the board. The president shall appoint each system division head and all officers of the authority, and the president or the president's designee shall hire all employees of the authority. All officers and employees of the authority shall serve at the pleasure of the president, and the president shall be responsible for maintaining an adequate workforce for the authority. Subject to §§ 7-36-109 and 7-36-112, the president is authorized to acquire and dispose of all property, real and personal, necessary to effectuate this chapter. The title of such property shall be taken in the name of the authority. All contracts, agreements, indentures, trust agreements, and other instruments necessary or proper in carrying out the purposes and powers of the authority or in conducting the affairs of the authority or in operating the systems of the authority shall be executed by the president, the president's designee, or such other officer or person as may be authorized by the board, the signature thereof to be binding upon the authority. The execution by the president, the president's designee, or such other officer or person as may be authorized by the board of any such contract, agreement, indenture, trust agreement, or instrument implementing or evidencing the exercise of powers reserved to the board pursuant to § 7-36-109 shall first be approved by resolution of the board. The president shall cause to be kept full and proper books and records of all operations and affairs of the authority and shall cause to be kept separate books and accounts for each system, so that these books and accounts will reflect the financial condition of each division separately, and may require that the moneys and securities of each division be placed in separate funds to the end that each division shall be self-sustaining. All divisions shall be audited annually by an independent certified public accountant selected by the board.