(a) The commission has the authority to appoint a qualified person to serve as its executive director who shall serve at the pleasure of the commission and whose duties shall be prescribed by the commission. These duties shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) The supervision of the commission's office and direction of the activities of the commission's employees;

(2) Keeping custody of the commission's official seal and the fixing of this seal to all license certificates issued by the commission;

(3) The receipt and prompt disposition of all correspondence or inquiries directed to the commission; and

(4) The performance of any other duty required by the commission in the enforcement of this part and part 4 of this chapter.

(b) Before assuming any official duties, the executive director shall take and subscribe to the oath of office and shall execute a bond in the manner prescribed by title 8, chapter 19.

(c) The salary of the executive director shall be fixed by the commissioner of commerce and insurance, subject to the approval of the commissioner of human resources.

(d) The commissioner of commerce and insurance shall employ clerical help, investigators, and field investigators and shall incur other expenses, as may be necessary for the proper discharge of the commission's duties under this part.

(e) The commission is further authorized to employ special counsel to represent it in any court or administrative proceeding; provided, that no fee paid for any one (1) such employment shall exceed the sum of two hundred fifty dollars ($250); and provided further, that this employment of counsel shall be subject to the approval of the governor and the attorney general and reporter.

(f) The commission also has the authority to adopt an official seal that shall be as follows: the official seal of the state of Tennessee bordered by the inscription — “Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission.”