Ken Ard was born in Pamplico, South Carolina, on December 18, 1963. The son of Jimmy and Margie Ard, Ken graduated Hannah-Pamplico High School before attending Wofford College.
He began working for the family business, Double A Body Builders, while still in high school. His father started the Pamplico-based truck body manufacturing company in 1963, and as an employee, Ken learned firsthand what is essential for business to flourish and an economy to grow. Hard work, common sense and fiscal discipline were lessons Ken learned at an early age.
In 1996, Ken and his brother Sammie purchased the company, taking responsibility of Double A Body Builder’s reputation as well as its 25 employees. With Ken and Sammie’s careful direction and supervision, the company expanded considerably. 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 Sammie in 2008 in order to be able to fully dedicate his time to public service.
He was elected to serve on the Florence County Council in 2004 and never strayed from his fiscally conservative beliefs, making cutbacks on wasteful government spending a top priority. In doing so, he was instrumental in implementing several notable budget reforms, including a reform that consolidated ancillary county budgets in Florence. Ken was also heavily involved in gaining South Carolina state infrastructure bank grant money for much needed road improvements in the county.
An astute businessman, Ken also made the recruitment of new industries a main concern. While on Florence County Council, Ken worked tirelessly to attract companies like H.J. Heinz, Johnson Controls, Monster.com and QVC, Inc. to the area, stimulating considerable economic growth throughout the county. While Ken served on council, over 4000 jobs and nearly $700 million in capital investment was generated within Florence County.
Also during this time, Florence county was also named one of the top five most business friendly counties in the nation by Site Selection magazine, a respected publication covering corporate real estate strategy and area economic development. After much success in his county council seat and recognizing the need for his steadfast conservative leadership, the Florence County Republican Party elected Ken chairman of the party in 2009.
Ken has been married to his wife, Tammy, for over 23 years and together they have three children, Jesse, Mason and Libby. They have been members of Southside Baptist Church in Florence, South Carolina, for 15 years.
As Lieutenant Governor, Ken serves as President of the Senate and oversees South Carolina's Office on Aging.