Meet The Team

Advantage Coating was founded in 1993 by Jim Ernst who has more than 47 years experience in the floor coating and polishing business. Jim's most important goal is customer satisfaction and building long term relationships with clients while providing a positive and stable standard of life for his employees.

Jim and his wife, Cindy, have two adult children and two grandchildren.

Cindy oversees daily business operations and helps plan and implement business strategies. She also assists sales representatives on bid solicitations.

Cindy and her husband, Jim, have two children and two grandchildren.

Ryan is the Operations Manager with Advantage Coating where he oversees the entire operations department. He has been with Advantage Coating since 2002 and has held many positions including Sales and Job Superintendent.

Ryan graduated from Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (emphasis in Construction Management and minor in Business Administration). Ryan and his wife, Lindsey, live in Delano, MN, with their daughter (Madeline), son (Mason), and dog (Jase). They enjoy spending time at the lake, camping, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling.

Joe joined the Advantage Coating sales team in 2017. His sales territory includes the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area, southern Minnesota and Iowa. Joe’s flooring career began in 1999 with 10 years spent at Tennant Company in Technical Sales Support.

When not at work, you will find Joe spending time with his two boys, Cody and Mason. They enjoy being outdoors, riding bike, swimming and many other sports. Joe also enjoys woodworking/ DIY projects, gardening, traveling and following amateur wrestling.

Dan has been with Advantage Coating since 2003. His sales territory includes the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area, central Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Dan started as a general laborer and moved into the position of Job Supervisor in 2007.

Dan grew up in Bloomington, MN, went to high school at Bloomington Kennedy, and graduated from Itasca Community College with an AA degree. Dan wrestled in high school and college, played lacrosse in high school, and hockey from age 5 to 15. In his spare time, Dan enjoys snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, going to the lake and most outdoor activities. Dan and his wife, Stephanie, live in Chaska, MN.

Paul brings to Advantage Coating a strong understanding and proficiency of the floor coatings industry. Formerly with Tennant Company for 20 years, Paul has developed extensive sales and technical expertise of floor coating materials and application. His sales territory includes the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area, northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Paul grew up in Hutchinson, MN, and graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. He appreciates spending time with family, attending the kids' sporting events, and going on family ski and camping trips. When the opportunity arises, he enjoys finding time to golf a few rounds, as well as traveling up to North Dakota for pheasant, duck and grouse hunting season.

Hallie has been with Advantage Coating since 2002 as the Office Manager. She is the first face you see if you stop in and voice you hear if you call. Hallie is the proud mom of a crazy 16 year old son.

Justy joined Advantage Coating in June 2016 and does social media, marketing, website enhancement and recruiting. Justy also assists the sales team with business leads on the Minnesota Builders Exchange.

Justy's previous work experience includes co-founding AviaNation.com and Placement Director for the University of North Dakota's John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. Justy holds a Master of Arts in Counseling, Bachelor of Science in Social Work, and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Justy and her husband, Mark, and dog, Isis, live in Victoria, MN.