Management Team

Larry Sullivan, the founder and co-owner with his wife – Betty, was born in Washington, DC and raised in Fairfax County, VA. He attended catholic school in Alexandria through the 8th grade. He then went on to Woodson High School in Washington, DC. Sullivan became involved in the Tile Industry in 1979 when he was working for three different companies learning the trade and developing his business acumen from warehousing, to sales, to management. Then in 1983, having always wanting to start a company, Sullivan created Architectural Ceramics.

Sullivan originally chose this business because of his history in and love for the Tile Industry. “Tile is very creative, spatial and individual. Each completed bath, kitchen, fireplace and patio is unique unto itself. To be the instrument of creating this individual expression, beauty and joy is our driving force. We are a family business – we wanted to create a business with sustainable beauty where our customers would come back to us year upon year for additional projects – all the while becoming our extended family – this is the stimulus that brings us to work every day.”

Betty Sullivan, Larry’s wife and co-owner, was born in White Plains, NY. She is one of five children. Coming from a strong, Greek heritage, Betty attended high school in Silver Spring, MD and then went on to attend the University of Maryland. She worked for high profile chains in charge of site location and new store openings – opened her own patent pending firm before joining her husband in 2001. Under her direction she expanded Architectural Ceramics from the original location in Maryland to now six locations in Maryland, New York and Virginia.

“We have learned that we never stop caring.  Each transaction is personal no matter how big we become.  Our business is all about people and relationships.  Although we do sell products, we really strive to understand what the customer needs and then fulfill their needs in whatever way we can. If we can have intimate relationships with each other, our customers and our vendors, using integrity and innovation which comes from listening to customers, vendors and staff then we have a community which we serve.

Lastly, running a business is hard, you have to be diligent in your pursuit of your mission; constantly a problem-solver and committed to the finish.”