John Gard, 44, grew up with his seven siblings on a dairy farm in Lena, Wisconsin – just north of a Green Bay. He graduated from Lena High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in 1986 from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he ran track and cross country.
Gard was elected to the State Assembly in 1987 and quickly became a legislative leader – rising to the top position of Speaker in 2003.
Gard is best known for authoring nationally-recognized welfare reform legislation and shepherding the largest tax cut in Wisconsin history into law. He’s also been acknowledged for his work to expand the ground-breaking school choice education program, which gives disadvantaged young people the opportunity to attend private schools.
Gard currently runs the Gard Business Group, a consulting firm that works with businesses to grow their company and create jobs.
Gard and his wife, Cate, make their home in Suamico, Wisconsin. Their son, John Vincent, is a sophomore at Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay. Their daughter, Libby, is a sophomore at Marquette University in Milwaukee.
John Gard’s Awards and Recognitions
- Outstanding Leadership Award, Wisconsin Department of Veteran's Affairs
- Legislator of the Year, Wisconsin State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America
- Commander's Award for Public Service, Department of Army
- Legislator of the Year, American Legion
- Award of Distinction, Wisconsin State Troopers' Association
- Friend of Agriculture, Farm Bureau
- Friend of Forestry, Wisconsin County Foresters Association
- Law Enforcement Support Award, Milwaukee Police Association
- Bipartisan Legislators Organized Outreach (BLOOD) Award, American Red Cross
- Legislator Appreciation Award, YMCA
- Legislative Merit Award, Wisconsin Innkeepers Association
- Friend of Housing Award, Wisconsin Builders Association
- Legislator of the Year, Pharmacy Association of Wisconsin
- Empowering Parents to Make Quality Educational Choices Award, Milwaukee Parental Choice Program
- Legislator of the Year, Wisconsin Bowhunters Association
- Friend of Grocers, Wisconsin Grocers Association
- Legislator of the Year, Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin
- Outstanding Legislator Award, Wisconsin Counties Association
- Guardian of Small Business, Nat. Federation of Independent Businesses
- Legislative Leadership Award, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association
- Legislator of the Year, Conservation Congress
- Key to the Village of Pulaski
