Board of directors; created; appointment; terms; officers.

A. The "board of directors of the national Hispanic cultural center" is created. The board shall consist of fifteen residents of New Mexico. Thirteen public members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Two of the appointees shall be employees of state institutions of higher education or appropriate state agencies. In making the appointments, the governor shall give due consideration to: (1) the ethnic, economic and geographic diversity of the state; (2) individuals who have demonstrated an awareness of and support for traditional and contemporary Hispanic culture, arts and humanities, including a strong knowledge of New Mexico Hispanic history; and (3) individuals who are knowledgeable in the areas of Hispanic performing, visual and oral arts, genealogy, family issues, education, business and administration. B. The public members shall be appointed for staggered four-year terms. C. Two private members shall be appointed by the board of a nonprofit organization that has an operating agreement with the center that complies with the provisions of Section 6-5A-1 NMSA 1978. The private members shall be appointed for one-year terms expiring on June 30 of each year. D. A majority of the board members currently serving shall constitute a quorum at any meeting or hearing. E. A public member failing to attend three consecutive meetings after receiving proper notice shall be recommended for removal by the governor. The governor may also remove a public member of the board for neglect of any duty required by law, for incompetency, for unprofessional conduct or for violating any provisions of the National Hispanic Cultural Center Act. If a vacancy occurs on the board, the original appointing authority shall appoint another member to complete the unexpired term. F. The executive director shall be an ex-officio nonvoting member of the board. G. The governor shall designate the president of the board, who shall serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor. The board may elect other officers from among its membership.