Except for the two members at large to be appointed by the governor, the remaining members of the board shall be appointed only from persons who have had, immediately preceding their appointment, a minimum of five consecutive years experience in this state in the active administrative management of a cemetery authority and at the time of their appointment shall have the actual and full authority of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, owner, director, officer, or general manager of a cemetery corporation or of a general manager of any other form of cemetery authority, and they shall hold office only so long as they continue in such active, actual, and authoritative capacity. The five-year consecutive period shall be exclusive of time spent in the armed services.
La. R.S. § 8:62