Section 10-505 - Board of Directors.

§ 10-505. Board of Directors.
 

(a)  In general.-  

(1) There is a Board of Directors of the Corporation. 

(2) The Board manages the Corporation and exercises all of its corporate powers. 

(b)  Composition; appointment of members.- The Board consists of the following members: 

(1) as ex officio members: 

(i) the Secretary or a designee of the Secretary who is a senior-level departmental official; 

(ii) the Secretary of Agriculture or a designee of the Secretary who is a senior-level departmental official; 

(iii) the Secretary of Natural Resources or a designee of the Secretary who is a senior-level departmental official; 

(iv) the Executive Director of the Maryland Food Center Authority; 

(v) the Executive Director of the Rural Maryland Council; and 

(vi) the Director of the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service; and 

(2) eleven individuals appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate as follows: 

(i) two agricultural producers representing at least two different farm commodity industries in the State; 

(ii) two representatives from commercial lending institutions serving rural regions in the State, one of whom shall represent a major farm credit organization operating in the State; 

(iii) one representative of the timber and forest products industry; 

(iv) one representative of the aquaculture industry; 

(v) one representative of the commercial seafood harvesting and processing industry; 

(vi) one individual with knowledge and experience in the area of operating commercial food or fiber processing facilities; 

(vii) one individual with knowledge and experience in the area of public finance; 

(viii) one individual with knowledge and experience in the area of rural economic development or agricultural marketing; and 

(ix) one individual with knowledge about the agricultural, forestry, or seafood industries or agritourism in the State or with substantial and relevant economic development experience. 

(c)  Qualifications.- A member of the Board shall be a resident of the State. 

(d)  Geographic diversity.- In appointing members of the Board under subsection (b)(2) of this section, the Governor shall consider all of the geographic regions of the State. 

(e)  Tenure; vacancies.-  

(1) The term of a member appointed under subsection (b)(2) of this section is 4 years. 

(2) The terms of the appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for the members on October 1, 2008. 

(3) At the end of a term, an appointed member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. 

(4) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. 

(f)  Removal.- The Governor may remove a member of the Board for incompetence, misconduct, or failure to perform the duties of the position. 

(g)  Chair.- The Board shall elect a chair from among its members. 

(h)  Voting.- The Board may act with an affirmative vote of nine members. 

(i)  Compensation; reimbursement for expenses.- A member of the Board: 

(1) serves without compensation as a member of the Board; but 

(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations as provided in the State budget. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 41, § 13-504; 2008, ch. 306, § 2.]