Sunil Palakodati, CEO of Artivo Surfaces, the nation's largest flooring and tile distributor, has been selected as one of 35 finalists for Ernst & Young LLP's prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award, recognizing his leadership in building the country's premier flooring distribution platform.

Artivo Surfaces holds the No. 1 position among flooring distributors with revenue of about $720 million achieved through strategic acquisitions and operational excellence. The company combines the strengths of four market-leading distributors: Galleher LLC, Tom Duffy, Trinity Hardwood, and Virginia Tile Company, spanning 78 locations in 18 states.

Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates bold leaders who disrupt markets through groundbreaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making profound community impact. The 35 finalists, selected by an independent panel of judges, represent 31 companies and are recognized for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and lasting impact in building long-term value.

"Throughout my career, I've focused on shaping a culture where people are empowered to lead, innovate and take ownership at every level, and I'm deeply honored that the Entrepreneur Of The Year program is recognizing that commitment," Palakodati said. 

His selection highlights his approach to combining enterprise-level capabilities with agile team dynamics. "At Artivo Surfaces, we've combined the strength of a national enterprise with the agility of a close-knit team," Palakodati explained. "That balance has allowed us to stay customer-focused, drive measurable impact and create an environment where our teams and our customers can truly thrive."

Under Palakodati's leadership, Artivo Surfaces has executed a strategic acquisition strategy, most recently acquiring Tom Duffy Co., which marked its third major acquisition of a flooring distributor within the last 12 months. Transom Capital Group backs the company and offers a comprehensive portfolio including hardwood, tile, luxury vinyl, and installation accessories to both residential and commercial markets.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 18, 2025, during a special celebration in Detroit. Winners become lifetime members of the esteemed global Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni community and advance to consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum.