Wes Ward is from the small rural town of Lake City in Northeast Arkansas and is a graduate of Riverside High School.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business with an emphasis in Agricultural Finance from Arkansas State University.  Wes has also earned a law degree (JD), a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in Agricultural and Food Law, and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arkansas.

Wes has been serving in the United States Marine Corps for over 22 years and has completed deployments and exercises in Afghanistan, Jordan, and Japan.  He is currently serving in the Marine Corps Reserves as a Detachment Commander with the 1^st Civil Affairs Group in Camp Pendleton, California. 

Wes is serving as the 3rd Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Arkansas.  Wes was appointed to the position in March 2015 by Governor Asa Hutchinson.  He also serves as the Second Vice President for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture includes the Forestry Division, Livestock and Poultry Division, Natural Resources Division, and Plant Industries Division.   The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for Arkansans and the nation.