The board shall be composed of 15 members. Nine members shall be appointed by the Governor, three members shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and three members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. All members shall be appointed for terms of six years. The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall consider different areas of the state when making appointments to the board. The board shall elect a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and such other officers as it deems advisable from its own membership. The members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending meetings of the board. The board is authorized to employ such personnel as it deems necessary to enable it to carry out its duties and functions; however, such employees shall not be subject to the state merit system of employment and employment administration. The board shall meet once each quarter and at such other times as the board deems necessary but not more than eight times annually. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.