A Legacy Steeped in Tradition: The Evolving Story of the Harney & Sons Family

It has been several decades since John Harney, a visionary entrepreneur with a passion for fine tea, began his journey in the basement of his family home. Guided by the expertise of Stanley Mason, an English expatriate who introduced him to the intricate world of tea, John Harney launched Harney & Sons in 1983. What began as a humble operation focused on quality and craftsmanship has since blossomed into a globally recognized brand. Yet, despite the company’s immense growth and the inevitable passage of time, the core of the business remains firmly rooted in its family origins. Today, as the Harney family looks toward the future, the "Sons" in Harney & Sons have become fathers themselves, signaling a new chapter for the multigenerational enterprise.

To understand the enduring success of Harney & Sons, one must look at the individuals who continue to shape its trajectory. The current generation, and the one rising to meet it, represents a blend of institutional memory and modern innovation.

The Matriarch: Elyse Harney

At the helm of the organization sits Elyse Harney, the company’s President and the matriarch of the Harney clan. Born Elizabeth G. Deublein in North Bergen, New Jersey, Elyse’s journey has been one of both professional and personal achievement. A 1952 graduate of St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn, she recently received the honor of being invited back as the institution’s 2026 commencement speaker—a testament to her long-standing commitment to her alma mater and her career.

Following graduate studies at Columbia University, Elyse married John Harney in 1953. Her role in the company is foundational; she served as a co-founder of Harney & Sons in 1983, providing essential support during those formative years. Her entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond tea; in 1987, she earned her real estate license and founded Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). While her husband nurtured the budding tea business, Elyse built her agency into a powerhouse across the tri-state region of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.

The family’s business acumen clearly runs deep. Her daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, joined EHRE in 2005 and has since risen to become the firm’s lead broker and owner. With her husband, Scott, serving as an Operating Broker, and their daughter, Brittany, now working at the firm, the family’s legacy of entrepreneurship continues to span multiple sectors.

For the matriarch, tea remains a daily ritual. Her personal favorites, featured in the "Elyse Harney’s Selects" collection, reflect a refined palate. Her mornings often begin with the delicate floral notes of Dragon Pearl Jasmine, the balanced profile of Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or the crispness of Japanese Sencha. As the day progresses, she leans toward oolongs, typically concluding her evenings with the soothing, familiar profiles of Jasmine tea, the vibrant Yellow & Blue, or the classic Chamomile—a staple that John Harney himself brought to her for many years.

The Second Generation: Leadership and Innovation

Mike Harney, the company’s Vice President and Master Tea Buyer, represents the second generation of leadership. After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Hospitality Management and Hotel Administration, Mike initially managed the Richmont Hotel in Chicago before joining his father’s tea business in 1988. His transition to the family firm marked a significant turning point, as he took on the responsibilities of sourcing and blending.

Mike’s role involves extensive international travel, fostering relationships with tea producers across the globe to ensure the company maintains its high standards. His expertise is well-documented; he authored The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea in 2008, a work born from years of sampling hundreds of distinct teas. For Mike, the concept of "terroir"—the environmental factors that give a tea its unique character—is paramount. His curated "Mike Harney’s Selects" highlights these nuanced expressions of origin.

Working alongside Mike is his wife, Brigitte Harney, who serves as a manager and buyer. Originally from Suresnes, France, Brigitte arrived in the Connecticut area in 1977 as an au pair. Her serendipitous meeting with the Harney family, followed by a chance reconnection with Mike during his internship in France, solidified her place within the family business. Her preferences in tea, such as the signature "Brigitte’s Blend"—a combination of silvery Ceylon and tippy, full-leaf Assam—and the robust Supreme Breakfast, change with the seasons. She often transitions from the lighter, fresh notes of a First Flush Darjeeling in warmer weather to the deeper, warming profiles of Panyang Congou or Thai Rooibos as autumn approaches.

The leadership team is rounded out by Paul Harney, the firm’s other Vice President. Paul is widely regarded as the innovator of the family. He has been instrumental in modernizing the company’s offerings, leading the development of their line of organic ready-to-drink teas and juices. Furthermore, he spearheaded the introduction of the pyramid sachet, a packaging solution designed to allow for the expansion of whole-leaf tea, ensuring a superior infusion. Paul also played a key role in the 2018 launch of The Hemp Division, a sister company that leverages the family’s deep knowledge of premium botanicals to explore the burgeoning hemp market. His personal taste, reflected in his "Paul Harney’s Selects," includes a fondness for unique flavor profiles, such as the Horchata tea—a sophisticated blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon bark.

The Third Generation: Carrying the Torch

The third generation is already deeply embedded in the operations of Harney & Sons, bringing with them a lifetime of hands-on experience. Emeric Harney, the current Marketing Director, essentially grew up in the business. From his early days as a child peeling stickers for tea tins to working at the retail shop at age 11, Emeric’s path was clear.

His contributions have been multifaceted. He developed popular blends such as Apple Cinnamon and White Christmas, and in 2010, he successfully launched the Harney & Sons SoHo store. Since 2016, he has focused on marketing, applying his extensive knowledge of product development and brand management to the family’s digital and physical presence. His current preferences reflect a modern sensibility, with a routine that includes Matcha iri Genmaicha in the morning and Panyang Congou in the afternoon.

Alex Harney, the eldest of the third generation, serves as the company’s Content Director and Café Director. His earliest memories involve blending Earl Grey with his grandfather, meticulously soaking cotton balls in bergamot oil. By age 12, he was conducting tea tastings at the retail store, and in 2005, he took on the role of founder and executive chef for the company’s Millerton Café. In addition to his culinary work, Alex manages the company’s film and photography, serving as the visual architect for the brand. His taste in tea is highly specific, often favoring lightly oxidized oolongs like Dong Ding Light and Wenshan Baozhong, as well as the savory, toasted notes of Genmaicha.

A Future Steeped in Potential

The story of Harney & Sons is not merely one of commercial success, but one of a family that has remained committed to a shared craft for over four decades. As the family grows and the business evolves, the underlying philosophy remains unchanged: to source, sample, blend, and share exceptional tea.

While the current leadership team manages the complexities of a global brand, they remain acutely aware that families—and the businesses they build—are dynamic. The Harney family continues to look toward the horizon, remaining open to the new and the unexpected. Whether that involves the introduction of the next generation or the discovery of a new tea origin, the Harney commitment to quality ensures that they will continue to make the everyday tea-drinking experience a little more exceptional. For now, the team continues their work, ensuring that the legacy John Harney started in a small basement in 1983 remains as vibrant and relevant as ever.