Ken Ard (politician)
| Ken Ard | |
|---|---|
| 88th Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina | |
|
In office January 12, 2011 – March 9, 2012 |
|
| Governor | Nikki Haley |
| Preceded by | André Bauer |
| Succeeded by | Glenn F. McConnell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 18, 1963 Pamplico, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Tammy Ard |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Businessman; former Florence county councilman |
James Kenneth "Ken" Ard (born December 18, 1963) was the 88th Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, having served January 12, 2011 to March 9, 2012.
Ken Ard was born in Pamplico, South Carolina. The son of Jimmy and Margie Ard, Ken graduated Hannah-Pamplico High School and later attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
He began working for the family business, Double A Body Builders, while still in high school. The company designs, manufactures and installs custom-built truck bodies. In 1996, Ken and his brother, Sammie, purchased the company from their father, taking responsibility for Double A Body Builder’s statewide reputation and its 25 full-time employees. Under their management, the company expanded considerably over the next decade. It grew to employ over 100 people, and is now one of the largest of its kind in the Southeastern U.S.
Ken sold his interest in the company to his brother in 2008, in order to more fully dedicate his time to public service.
Ken is now a radio host on a station in Florence, SC.
Ard was elected to the Florence County Council in 2004. While there, he focused on fiscal issues and was instrumental in implementing several notable budgetary reforms. He was also active in gaining state funding for much-needed road improvements in Florence County.
Drawing on his business experience, he made the recruitment of major industries to Florence County a central concern. While on the council, Ken worked tirelessly to attract companies like H.J. Heinz Company, Johnson Controls, Monster.com and The QVC Network to the area, stimulating considerable economic growth throughout the county. Also during this time, Florence County was named one of the top five most business-friendly counties in the nation by Site Selection magazine, a national publication covering corporate real estate strategy and area economic development.
He was elected chairman of the Florence County Republican Party in 2009.
South Carolina's previous lieutenant governor, Andre Bauer, ran for governor in 2010, leaving an open race for lieutenant governor. Ard finished first against three other candidates in the Republican primary and ultimately emerged victorious as the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.
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