Ashley Hunsaker — CEO | Innovator | Kingdom-Minded Leader

Ashley Hunsaker is the Chief Executive Officer of HTS Coatings, a cutting-edge thermal spray, machining, and grinding company she co-founded with her husband Jason in 2015. Under her leadership, HTS Coatings has grown from a vision to a nationally recognized operation, earning a spot on the INC 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America in 2021.

 

What sets Ashley apart is not just her business acumen, but her heart. Rooted in the mission that "our coating solutions would enhance lives for the Glory of God," Ashley leads with a blend of high accountability and deep care for people — values woven into the culture of HTS.

 

She holds a Bachelor of Science from Pensacola Christian College, and her entrepreneurial journey is shaped by over two decades of marriage and partnership with Jason, raising four children together in the heart of the Midwest.

 

Ashley is an active member of the C12 Group for Christian CEOs, serves on the board of the St. Louis Chapter of the NTMA, and is a proud member of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. HTS Coatings has also been a member of ITSA (International Thermal Spray Association) since 2023, pushing innovation and excellence in surface engineering.

 

Outside the boardroom, you’ll find Ashley teaching 1st–5th graders at August Gate Church, camping with her family, or out for a run. In 2022, she stepped into the world of public service as a Republican candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives, advocating for strong families and strong manufacturing.

 

Ashley brings a bold and inspiring voice to the stage — one that champions faith-driven leadership, grit in growth, and the transformative power of manufacturing done with purpose.