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

The story of Harney & Sons is not merely one of global commerce or the commoditization of a popular beverage; it is a multi-generational narrative of family, resilience, and a deep-seated passion for the art of tea. From its humble beginnings in the basement of a family home in 1983, the company has grown into a globally recognized brand. Yet, despite the expansion and the passing of the decades, the core of the business remains firmly rooted in the family unit. Today, the "Sons" in Harney & Sons are not just the original founders’ children; they are now raising a third generation, ensuring that the legacy initiated by John Harney remains a vibrant, evolving family endeavor.

To understand where Harney & Sons is going, it is essential to look at the people currently steering the ship. Each member of the family brings a unique background and set of skills to the table, creating a dynamic environment where traditional expertise meets modern innovation.

The Matriarch: Elyse Harney

At the helm of this enterprise is the family matriarch, Elizabeth G. "Elyse" Deublein. Born in North Bergen, New Jersey, and a 1952 graduate of St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn, Elyse’s influence extends far beyond her title as President. Her connection to her alma mater remains strong, evidenced by the institution’s decision to invite her to serve as the 2026 commencement speaker—a significant honor for a woman who has balanced the demands of a growing business with a life dedicated to her family.

After marrying John Harney in 1953, Elyse pursued graduate studies at Columbia University before eventually co-founding Harney & Sons in 1983. Her entrepreneurial spirit, however, was not limited to the tea trade. In 1987, she founded Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). At the time, this secondary venture provided essential financial stability while the tea business was in its nascent stages. Today, that real estate firm has flourished into a premier agency operating across the tri-state region of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. The business has since become a family legacy in its own right, with Elyse’s daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, serving as the lead broker and owner, joined by her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Brittany.

For Elyse, tea is a daily ritual that spans the spectrum of the craft. Her personal preferences reflect a sophisticated palate: in the mornings, she often leans toward the delicate notes of Dragon Pearl Jasmine, the specific health-conscious profiles of the Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or the classic, vegetal depth of Japanese Sencha—a variety that was also a favorite of her late husband. As the day transitions into the afternoon, she favors various oolongs, typically concluding her evenings with soothing selections like Jasmine tea, the vibrant Yellow & Blue, or the classic comfort of chamomile.

The Second Generation: Expertise and Innovation

Mike Harney, 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 spent time managing the Richmont Hotel in Chicago before officially joining the family business in 1988. As the Master Tea Buyer and blender, his role is pivotal to the company’s quality control and product development. His work requires extensive global travel to meet directly with tea producers, ensuring that the company maintains its high standards.

Mike’s dedication to the craft is documented in his 2008 publication, The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea, which draws upon his extensive experience as a professional taster. For Mike, the defining characteristic of a superior tea is its "terroir"—the ability of the leaves to express the specific natural environment in which they were grown. Because his professional life involves sampling hundreds of teas annually, he finds it difficult to name a single favorite, preferring to curate his selections based on the unique characteristics of each harvest.

Working closely alongside Mike is his wife, Brigitte Harney, a Manager and Buyer. Born in Suresnes, France, Brigitte’s path to the Harney family began in 1977 when she arrived in Connecticut to work as an au pair. Her eventual reunion with Mike in France—where he was completing an internship—marked the beginning of their partnership. Brigitte’s tastes are as refined as they are seasonal. While she is the namesake of "Brigitte’s Blend," a sophisticated mix of silvery Ceylon and tippy, full-leaf Assam, her choices fluctuate with the weather and her mood. She holds a particular appreciation for Supreme Breakfast tea, featuring tippy Assam and Hao Ya ‘B’ Keemun, and pivots toward Panyang Congou or Thai Rooibos during the autumnal months, favoring first-flush Darjeelings when spring arrives.

The second generation is rounded out by Mike’s younger brother, Paul Harney, also a Vice President. Paul is widely regarded within the company as an innovator who continuously pushes the brand toward new frontiers. He was the driving force behind the company’s expansion into organic, ready-to-drink beverages and was instrumental in the development of the pyramid sachet packaging. This design was specifically chosen to allow whole-leaf tea the space it needs to expand and infuse properly, bridging the gap between convenience and quality. Furthermore, Paul was a primary architect of The Hemp Division, a brother company established in 2018 that leverages the Harney family’s expertise in premium botanicals to navigate the emerging market for hemp-based products. His eclectic tastes are best exemplified by his affinity for Horchata tea, a unique blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon bark that pays homage to his appreciation for Mexican culinary traditions.

Looking Toward the Future: The Third Generation

The transition to the third generation is already well underway, with Emeric and Alex Harney playing critical roles in the company’s current operations. Emeric Harney, the Marketing Director, has essentially grown up within the business. His early "career" began at age four, helping with the tactile aspects of production, such as peeling stickers for tea tins. By his early teens, he was a fixture at the retail shop, mastering everything from customer service to gift wrapping.

Emeric’s contributions have been both creative and strategic. He developed popular blends such as Apple Cinnamon and White Christmas, and in 2010, he spearheaded the successful launch of the company’s SoHo retail store. Since 2016, his focus has shifted toward marketing, where he oversees brand management and product development. Like his father and uncle, his palate is evolving; he currently enjoys Matcha iri Genmaicha to start his mornings and prefers the depth of Panyang Congou in the afternoon.

Alex Harney, the oldest son, serves as the Content Director and Café Director. His childhood memories are inextricably linked to the sensory details of the tea trade, particularly the hours spent alongside his grandfather, John, blending Earl Grey by hand-soaking cotton balls in bergamot oil. His professional trajectory has been equally hands-on. After helping with retail operations in his youth, he took on the role of founder and executive chef at the Millerton Café in 2005. His culinary expertise informs his work in product development and, more recently, his role as the director of film and photography for the company. Alex’s personal preferences gravitate toward lightly oxidized oolongs, including varieties like Dong Ding Light, Wenshan Baozhong, and Ali San Oolong, reflecting an appreciation for teas that offer nuance and complexity.

As the company looks to the future, the Harney family remains committed to the principles established in that basement in 1983. While the family continues to grow and evolve, the fundamental mission of sourcing, sampling, and blending the world’s finest teas remains unchanged. The Harney family views their business not just as a retail enterprise, but as a living legacy, one that remains open to the unexpected opportunities that lie ahead. Whether it is through the introduction of new tea varieties or the eventual integration of the next generation, the Harney family continues to refine their craft, striving to make every cup of tea an exceptional experience for their customers.