George is the second of eight sons of Tom and Isabelle Ballard. He attended St. Joseph Parish, St. Joe Prep High School, and graduated in 1971 from Bellamine College with a B.A. in Education with a history major and Political Science minor. . He was awarded the Bobby Bellamine Spirit, the 1999 Scarlet & Silver  Society, and was awarded Gallery of Distinguished Graduates 1983 from
Bellarmine College. While at St Joe Prep, George played on the golf team, football team and attempted basketball for one season. He belonged to the J-Club and the Key Club. George was in road construction. In April 1974, his company moved into coal mining in Eastern Kentucky. George was designated superintendent and designated mine operator. He was named Vice-President of a new formed family company Tebco, inc. Tebco Inc., operated 16 years as a coal , gas and oil agriculture and real estate company. George's business interests today consist of farming, real estate, and banking. He serves or is associated with: President of Ballard Brothers Inc., President and Operating Member of Culpeper Vii,LLC, V-P of Tebco Inc., Director of Community Bank Shares of Indiana, Nelson County Business Development Board, Bellarmine Alumni Association Board, Past President of St. Joe Prep Alumni Association, former Nelson County Youth Soccer Coach, Member of Ky. Association of Realtors, and a supporter of Bethlehem High School and St. Joseph School. George's leisure activities including playing golf, traveling and working on the farm. He has three children. Emily, George and Hilary.