(a)      (1)      In the Office of the Secretary, the Secretary shall have assistants, professional consultants, and employees as provided in the State budget.

            (2)      The Secretary may designate a staff assistant to be in charge of a particular area of responsibility within the Office of the Secretary.

      (b)      In the Office of the Secretary:

            (1)      each staff assistant in charge of a particular area of responsibility and each professional consultant serves at the pleasure of the Secretary; and

            (2)      except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary shall appoint and may remove all other employees in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article.