A Legacy Steeped in Tradition: Meet the Generations Behind Harney & Sons

The story of Harney & Sons is not merely a chronicle of global trade and fine tea; it is, at its heart, a quintessential American family saga. From its humble beginnings in the basement of a family home to its current status as a globally recognized purveyor of premium teas, the company has navigated four decades of change while remaining anchored to its foundational values. As the company continues to grow, it is perhaps the perfect moment to pull back the curtain on the people who keep the kettles boiling—the Harney family members who manage, curate, and nurture the business day after day.

The origins of the company trace back to 1983, when John Harney, guided by the mentorship of English tea expert Stanley Mason, began blending tea in his basement. While the company has expanded significantly since those early days, the essence of the operation remains familial. In fact, the "Sons" in Harney & Sons have now evolved into a multi-generational team, with the third generation of the family actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the brand.

The Matriarch: Elyse Harney

At the helm of this multigenerational enterprise is the company president and family matriarch, Elizabeth G. "Elyse" Deublein. Born in North Bergen, New Jersey, and a 1952 graduate of St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn, Elyse has been a pillar of the Harney family and business since its inception. Her influence extends far beyond the boardroom; she was recently honored by her alma mater, which invited her to serve as the 2026 commencement speaker, a testament to her enduring legacy and professional impact.

After marrying John Harney in 1953, Elyse went on to pursue graduate studies at Columbia University while raising four sons and a daughter. When John launched the tea business in 1983, Elyse was there as a co-founder, providing the necessary stability and vision to turn a basement project into a global brand. Demonstrating her remarkable versatility, she also secured her real estate license in 1987, founding Elyse Harney Real Estate. That agency has since become a premier name in the tri-state region, spanning Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. Today, the real estate firm continues its own family tradition, with Elyse’s daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, serving as lead broker and owner, and her granddaughter, Brittany, also employed at the firm.

When it comes to her personal tea preferences, Elyse enjoys a diverse range of flavors that shift with the time of day. Her mornings often begin with the delicate profiles of Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or Japanese Sencha. In the afternoons, she leans toward oolongs, while her evenings are typically reserved for caffeine-free comforts like Jasmine tea, the vibrant Yellow & Blue, or the soothing Chamomile—a classic favorite that her husband, John, introduced to her many years ago.

The Second Generation: Expertise and Innovation

Mike Harney, the company’s Vice President and Master Tea Buyer, represents the second generation of leadership. Following his graduation from Cornell University with a degree in Hospitality Management and Hotel Administration, Mike initially made his mark in the hotel industry, managing the Richmont Hotel in Chicago. He officially joined the family business in 1988, bringing a professional rigor to the company’s sourcing and blending processes.

As the Master Tea Buyer, Mike’s role is inherently nomadic. He travels extensively, cultivating relationships with tea producers worldwide to ensure that only the highest quality leaves make it into Harney & Sons tins. His expertise was solidified in 2008 with the publication of The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea, a book born from years of sampling and analyzing thousands of varieties of tea. For Mike, the defining characteristic of a superior tea is "terroir"—the unique expression of the environment in which the plant is grown. While his palate is refined by decades of professional tasting, he finds joy in teas that authentically capture their place of origin.

Sharing the stage in the second generation is Brigitte Harney, Mike’s wife. Originally from Suresnes, France, Brigitte first arrived in the Connecticut area in 1977 as an au pair. It was during this time that she first crossed paths with the Harney family. Later, while Mike was completing an internship in France, the two reconnected, eventually building a life together in the United States. Brigitte plays a vital role as a manager and buyer, bringing her own sophisticated taste to the company’s selection. While she is famously associated with "Brigitte’s Blend"—a nuanced mix of silvery Ceylon and tippy, full-leaf Assam—her preferences are fluid, often dictated by the seasons. In the cool of autumn, she might reach for a Panyang Congou or a Thai Rooibos, while the arrival of spring often sees her returning to the bright, fresh notes of a 1st Flush Darjeeling.

Also serving as a Vice President is Paul Harney, whose contributions to the company are defined by his innovative spirit. Paul has been a primary force behind the expansion of the company’s product lines, particularly in the realm of organic, ready-to-drink beverages. He was also instrumental in the development of the brand’s pyramid sachet packaging, a design that blends the convenience of a tea bag with the superior infusion capability required for whole-leaf tea. Beyond the tea business, Paul was a co-founder of The Hemp Division in 2018, a venture that allowed the family to apply their expertise in premium botanicals to the evolving hemp industry. Paul’s personal tastes reflect his eclectic interests; he is a particular fan of the company’s Horchata tea, a creative blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon that pays homage to his appreciation for Mexican culinary traditions.

The Third Generation: A Future in the Making

The family legacy is currently being carried forward by the third generation, notably through Emeric and Alex Harney, both of whom have been immersed in the tea business since childhood.

Emeric Harney, the company’s Marketing Director, essentially grew up in the business. From his early days as a child peeling labels for tea tins to working in the retail shop as a pre-teen, Emeric developed an intuitive understanding of the brand. He gained professional experience by launching the company’s SoHo retail location in 2010 before transitioning into marketing, brand management, and product development. Having even developed his own signature blends like Apple Cinnamon and White Christmas, Emeric’s influence is woven into the fabric of the current product catalog. His current favorites reflect a modern, discerning palate, often beginning with Matcha iri Genmaicha in the morning and settling into the complex notes of Panyang Congou as the day progresses.

Similarly, Alex Harney’s earliest memories involve working alongside his grandfather, John, to scent tea with bergamot oil to create the perfect Earl Grey. As he grew older, his responsibilities expanded to include tea tastings and eventually the culinary side of the business. When the family opened a cafe in Millerton in 2005, Alex stepped into the role of founder and executive chef, curating a menu that perfectly complemented the company’s tea offerings. Today, he serves as the Director of Film and Photography, using his creative eye to capture the visual identity of the brand. Alex possesses a particular affinity for lightly oxidized oolongs, frequently highlighting selections like Dong Ding Light, Wenshan Baozhong, and Ali San Oolong.

As the company looks to the future, the Harney family remains committed to the principles established in that basement four decades ago. While the family continues to grow and evolve, the mission remains constant: to source, sample, and blend exceptional teas that offer consumers a moment of respite in their daily lives. For the Harneys, the tea business is not just a profession; it is a shared journey of discovery, and they look forward to whatever new and unexpected chapters lie ahead.