(a) The members of the board shall be appointed by the governor. Members may be appointed from lists of qualified nominees submitted by interested optometric groups, including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians. The governor shall consult with such interested groups to determine qualified persons to fill the positions.
(b) A member shall continue to serve until that member's successor is appointed. In the event of a vacancy on the board, the governor shall appoint a new member to serve out the balance of the unexpired term.