Leading with Faith honoree — Tim Milner

Owner, JIT Powder Coating Company

Farmington
Age: 61
Parish: Assumption, St. Paul
Spouse: Donna
Children: Sarah, 37; Stephanie, 33; Paul, 32; Matt, 31
Education: University of St. Thomas
Number of years with company: 28

Tim Milner sees God in the faces of those with whom he works, and counts helping a long-time employee through a debilitating bout with COVID-19 as one example of living out his faith in the workplace. His proudest work achievement is getting his company and its employees through the Great Recession, the pandemic and other financial challenges. He serves on several trade association boards. At his parish, he is a lector, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, hospitality minister and a mentor couple leader. A council member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, he is serving as the Northern Lieutenancy webmaster and North American communications manager.

Q Describe your business

A JIT Powder Coating Company provides metal finishing services to a variety of manufacturers in the greater Twin City Metro Area. Powder coating is an environmentally friendly way to apply a paint to a metal surface for both decorative and rust prevention. As of June 2021, JIT employs 67 people with average production wages of $22 an hour with health and other benefits supported by the company.

Q Describe your position and role.

A I am the business founder and owner. My role is key account management, new project engineering and strategic planning. Currently, I am focused on mentoring the next generation of leadership as part of a succession plan.

Q What does “leading with faith” mean to you?

A I try to apply Jesus’ teaching “love your neighbor as yourself” in all aspects of my life, but especially in our business. I believe that people learn as much, if not more, by observing actions than by just listening to words. It is important that a business owner visibly shows what is important in life through their actions and words. Witnessing one’s faith that way hopefully allows others to come to know the Lord better — or maybe even to decide to let the Lord enter into their lives.

Q How do you concretely apply your faith and Catholic values at work?

A This is a hard question to answer. I really don’t apply my faith any differently at work than what I do everywhere else in my life. Too many businesses focus solely on the financial outcomes, not recognizing the value of the people working in the business. I just want everyone to be treated with kindness and respect, and be appreciated for who they are and what they do for the business. I believe that if the owner shows that, the rest of the organization will, too.

Q Please tell a story about a time when living out your faith at work really made a difference.

A Something very recent. We had an older, long-time employee contract COVID-19 near the start of the pandemic. He spent (more than) 30 days on a ventilator. He is still slowly recovering and may not be able to return to work. But during his time away, we paid him his full wages, helped him get short-term disability, helped with doctor and medical bills, and supported his family. His wife came in just a few weeks ago to sign some papers for long-term disability. She thanked us for “saving his life.” We obviously did not save his life — his health care teams did that. But it made everyone proud that our business was able to make such a huge impact for a family in their time of need.

Q Who or what has inspired you to bring your faith to the “marketplace?”

A It’s not so much as inspired as it was a natural outflowing of how I was raised. Parents who were very faith and family focused, always ready to volunteer at St. Joseph in West St. Paul. Teachers at St. Thomas Academy and St. Thomas College who encouraged living a faithful life serving others. My chemistry lab partner who became my wonderful wife. It created a foundation that I have simply chosen to continue in my business career.

Q What achievement at work are you most proud of?

A In JIT’s history, through some very difficult times (bankruptcy of our largest customer, 9-11, the recession in 2008, COVID-19), we have been able to avoid layoffs and made sure that every employee continued to receive their weekly wages and their benefits. More than anything else, this is my biggest source of pride.

Q In what specific ways have you experienced God’s presence in your workplace?

A I see God’s presence at JIT every day in the faces of the people working here. Seeing how they work together and treat each other. How they enjoy each other. How they work hard to overcome the daily challenges at work and in life. For me, that is the fruit of God’s love made possible through his divine presence in each one of us in the workplace he has helped me create.

Q What advice do you have for others who want to lead with faith?

A Leading in faith and being successful in business are NOT mutually exclusive! You can do both! It truly does not cost you anything to lead in faith. Plus, the blessings from Our Lord that we receive in doing so are truly amazing!