a. There is hereby created and established within the Department of Corrections a State Parole Board which shall consist of a chairman, 14 associate members and three alternate board members. The chairman, associate members and alternate board members shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate from qualified persons with training or experience in law, sociology, criminal justice, or related branches of the social sciences. Members of the board and the alternate board members shall be appointed for terms of six years and the terms of their successors shall be calculated from the expiration of the incumbent's term. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and have qualified.
The Governor shall designate a vice-chairman from among the associate members. The vice-chairman shall assume the duties of the chairman when the chairman is absent, unavailable or otherwise unable to perform his duties, or, in the case of removal or a permanent incapacity, until the qualification of a successor chairman appointed by the Governor.
Any alternate board member may assume the duties of an associate member when the associate member is absent, unavailable or otherwise unable to perform his duties, or the associate member assumes the duties of the chairman, and shall perform those duties only until the associate resumes his duties, or, in the case of removal or a permanent incapacity, the qualification of a successor appointed by the Governor.