Ard was elected as Lt. Governor in 2010 and, prior to his election to a state constitutional office, he served as a Florence County Councilman. Ard’s mother was a postal service worker. His father owned and operated Double A Body Builders. The 47-year-old Ard began working for the family’s truck body-manufacturing company while in high school. Eventually, he and his brother, Sammie, purchased the company and expanded it from 25 employees to 100. Ard said being in business for himself made him take an interest in politics. He decided to run for the District 2 seat on Florence County Council in 2004 and defeated the late Tom Smith. During his second term on council, Ard said he was approached by several Republican businessmen, including Dr. Eddie Floyd, who encouraged him to seek state office.