The commissioner of transportation is appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and serves at the pleasure of the governor during the governor's term of office. The commissioner must be "qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of his office" (N.J. Stat. Ann. §27:1A-4). The state also has a legislatively created, seven-member Transportation Trust Fund Authority, the sole purpose of which is to finance the annual capital programs of NJDOT and the New Jersey Transit Corporation. Five members are appointed by the governor, within statutory requirements for party affiliation. Three of these are appointed to four-year terms with the advice and consent of the Senate, and may be removed by the governor for cause; one must represent the interest of trade unions and another the interests of owners of eligible construction firms. The fourth is appointed to a four-year term upon recommendation of the president of the Senate and the fifth to a two-year term upon recommendation of the speaker of the General Assembly. The commissioner of transportation and state treasurer serve ex officio (N.J. Stat. Ann. §27:1B-4).