A Family Steeped in Tradition: The Generations Behind Harney & Sons

In the annals of American family businesses, few stories are as aromatic or as enduring as that of Harney & Sons. It began in 1983, not in a corporate boardroom, but in the humble basement of the Harney family home. John Harney, guided by the expertise of English expatriate and tea mentor Stanley Mason, launched what would become a global tea empire. Over four decades later, the brand has transformed from a local venture into a household name, yet it remains firmly rooted in the same principles of family stewardship that defined its inception.

The passage of time has only strengthened these ties. In fact, the business has grown alongside the family itself; the "Sons" in Harney & Sons have now grown into adulthood, with the third generation of the family currently active in the company’s operations. To understand the heart of this organization, one must look at the individuals who guide its daily rhythm, from the founding matriarch to the newest generation of innovators.

The Matriarch: Elyse Harney

At the helm of the organization stands Elyse Harney, the president and matriarch of the clan. Born Elizabeth G. Deublein in North Bergen, New Jersey, her journey began at Brooklyn’s St. Joseph’s University, where she graduated in 1952. Her connection to her alma mater remains strong; in a testament to her lifelong commitment and professional success, the university has invited her to serve as the 2026 commencement speaker.

Following her graduation, Elyse pursued graduate studies at Columbia University before marrying John Harney in 1953. Her role in the company is foundational, having co-founded the business in 1983 while simultaneously managing the demands of raising four sons and a daughter. Her entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond the tea industry when she earned her real estate license in 1987, establishing Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). That firm has since flourished into a premier agency serving the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. The real estate business, too, has become a multi-generational endeavor, with her daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, serving as owner and lead broker, joined by her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Brittany.

For Elyse, tea is a daily ritual rather than just a business. Her current preferences often lean toward the delicate notes of Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or Japanese Sencha. As the day transitions into the evening, she favors calming infusions, including classic Jasmine, the signature Yellow & Blue, or the soothing Chamomile—a tisane her husband frequently brought home for her during their earlier years.

The Second Generation: Expertise and Innovation

Mike Harney, the company’s Vice President and Master Tea Buyer, represents the second generation of leadership. A graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Hospitality Management and Hotel Administration, Mike spent time managing the Richmont Hotel in Chicago before officially joining the family firm in 1988. His expertise is central to the company’s quality control; as the Master Tea Buyer and blender, he traverses the globe to source exceptional leaves, ensuring that the company’s offerings reflect the unique "terroir"—the specific environmental conditions—of each tea’s origin. His deep knowledge of the craft culminated in his 2008 book, The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea, which draws on his years of tasting and vetting hundreds of varieties.

Mike’s wife, Brigitte, plays an integral role as a manager and buyer. Her path to the company is a story of serendipity: born in Suresnes, France, she traveled to Connecticut in 1977 as an au pair. Through a family connection, she met the Harneys, later reconnecting with Mike during his internship in France. Her palate influences many of the company’s offerings, particularly her namesake "Brigitte’s Blend," which pairs silvery Ceylon with full-leaf Assam. Her tea preferences are deeply seasonal; she favors robust options like Supreme Breakfast tea or Panyang Congou during the autumn months, transitioning to delicate first-flush Darjeeling harvests as the weather warms.

Joining Mike in the vice-presidential role is his brother, Paul Harney, whose work has been defined by a spirit of innovation. Paul has been the driving force behind the company’s expansion into the ready-to-drink market, including organic teas and juices. He also pioneered the adoption of pyramid sachet packaging, a design that provides the convenience of a traditional tea bag while allowing enough room for whole-leaf tea to expand and infuse properly. His penchant for creative expansion also led to the 2018 launch of The Hemp Division, a sister company that integrates the Harney family’s expertise in premium botanicals with the burgeoning market for legal hemp. Paul’s personal tastes reflect his worldly interests; he is a particular fan of the Horchata tea blend, which combines milky oolong with toasted rice and cinnamon bark.

The Third Generation: Continuing the Legacy

The third generation is already deeply embedded in the operations of the company, bringing a modern perspective to the brand’s long-standing heritage. Emeric Harney, the current Marketing Director, has been involved with the family business since childhood. From peeling labels off tins at age four to managing retail sales in his pre-teen years, his immersion in the industry was organic. In 2010, he spearheaded the launch of the company’s SoHo retail location in New York City, and by 2016, he had transitioned into the marketing division. His contributions span the full spectrum of the business, from product development and branding to direct involvement in tea buying. His current preferences showcase the diversity of the modern palate, often selecting a bright Matcha iri Genmaicha to start the day or a smooth Panyang Congou for the afternoon.

Alex Harney, serving as both Content Director and Café Director, represents another facet of the third generation’s influence. His childhood memories are inextricably linked to the sensory experience of blending tea, specifically recalling the process of infusing Earl Grey by hand with bergamot oil alongside his grandfather. As the founder and executive chef of the company’s Millerton Café, Alex has shaped the culinary identity of the brand’s retail experience, developing an extensive menu that complements their tea service. Beyond the kitchen, he oversees the company’s film and photography, ensuring that the brand’s visual storytelling matches the quality of its products. His own tea journey leans toward the nuances of lightly oxidized oolongs, with favorites including Dong Ding Light, Wenshan Baozhong, and Ali San Oolong.

Looking Toward the Future

The story of Harney & Sons is one of constant evolution, marked by the steady hand of the family that built it. While the faces in the office may change and the next generation is already beginning to make its mark, the company’s core mission remains unchanged. They continue to source, sample, and blend with the same attention to detail that John Harney applied in his basement four decades ago.

For the Harneys, the tea business is as much about the unexpected discoveries as it is about the heritage they protect. As the family grows and the global tea market shifts, they remain committed to providing a moment of exception in the everyday lives of their customers. Whether it is through a newly developed botanical blend or a timeless, classic harvest, the Harney family’s focus remains clear: to continue sharing the best of what the world’s gardens have to offer, ensuring that the family’s legacy remains as vibrant and refreshing as the tea in the cup.