Founded by Larry Sullivan, Peggy Orahood, and Jimmy Sita with a mission to make tile selection creative and enjoyable, the company transformed when Betty Sullivan joined in 1992. Armed with determination and a single fax machine, she elevated the business from a small family operation into a multimillion-dollar enterprise spanning the East Coast.

"From the start, I knew we could be more than a tile company," CEO Betty Sullivan said. "I wanted us to inspire creativity, to set a new standard, and to build a team that lived and breathed design excellence."

Sullivan's approach was hands-on and values-driven. She personally delivered tile across Washington D.C. in her pickup truck while raising her seven children, all of whom have worked in various roles throughout the company. This family-first philosophy has become the cornerstone of Architessa's business culture.

The company, which rebranded from Architectural Ceramics in 2021, has built an impressive portfolio that includes tens of thousands of commercial projects and over a million homes. Its signature Concierge Service provides customers with expert design guidance from concept to installation.

Under the leadership of Sullivan's son, David Benson, who now serves as president, Architessa continues to innovate while maintaining its founding values. The company will host its inaugural Designer Summit in Fall 2025, bringing together industry leaders to discuss trends and best practices.

As Architessa enters its fifth decade, it remains committed to its founding principle: that tile isn't just a material—it's personal, emotional, and transformative for the spaces we inhabit every day.