(C) The governor's office of Appalachian Ohio shall represent the interests of the Appalachian region in the government of this state. The duties of the director of the office shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. (1) To identify residents of the Appalachian region qualified to serve on state boards, commissions, and bodies and in state offices, and to bring these persons to the attention of the governor;
2. (2) To represent the interests of the Appalachian region in the general assembly and before state boards, commissions, bodies, and agencies;
3. (3) To assist in forming a consensus on public issues and policies among institutions and organizations that serve the Appalachian region;
4. (4) To act as an ombudsperson to assist in resolving differences between state or federal agencies and the officials of political subdivisions or private, nonprofit organizations located within the Appalachian region;
5. (5) To assist planning commissions, agencies, and organizations within the Appalachian region in distributing planning information and documents to the appropriate state and federal agencies and to assist in focusing attention on any findings and recommendations of these commissions, agencies, and organizations;
6. (6) To issue reports on the Appalachian region that describe progress achieved and the needs that still exist in the region;
7. (7) To assist the governor's office in resolving the problems of residents of the Appalachian region that come to the governor's attention.