A Steeped Legacy: Inside the Generations Driving Harney & Sons

The history of Harney & Sons is a quintessential American story of family enterprise, beginning in the most humble of settings. In 1983, John Harney, having honed his craft under the tutelage of English tea merchant Stanley Mason, launched what would become an international tea empire from the modest confines of his own basement. Over the past four decades, the company has navigated the shifting tides of the global tea market, yet it remains firmly rooted in the principles that defined its inception. While the brand has grown exponentially, the internal culture of Harney & Sons remains a deeply personal, family-led endeavor. Today, as the sons of the founders now watch their own children take on roles within the business, the company stands as a testament to the endurance of family values in a corporate world.

To understand the current trajectory of Harney & Sons, one must look at the individuals who steer the ship. It is a collective effort that spans three generations, each bringing distinct expertise, innovative spirits, and a shared passion for the leaf.

The Matriarch: Elyse Harney

At the helm of the Harney clan is Elizabeth G. "Elyse" Deublein, the company president and the woman whose vision helped catalyze the brand’s success. A 1952 graduate of Brooklyn’s St. Joseph’s University, Elyse’s influence extends far beyond the boardroom. Her professional journey is a dual narrative of entrepreneurship; in 1987, just years after co-founding Harney & Sons, she secured her real estate license and launched Elyse Harney Real Estate. The firm has since blossomed into a cornerstone of the tri-state region, serving Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.

Elyse’s impact on the family business is foundational. While her husband, John, focused on the intricacies of the tea trade, Elyse’s leadership provided the stability and business acumen necessary to weather the volatility of a startup. Today, she continues to set the tone for the company, and her legacy is being honored in academic circles as well—St. Joseph’s University has invited her to serve as the commencement speaker for the class of 2026.

Her personal relationship with tea is as varied as the company’s catalog. Through her curated collection, "Elyse Harney’s Selects," she shares a preference for the refined and the classic. Her mornings often begin with the delicate aromatics of Dragon Pearl Jasmine, the health-conscious profile of Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or the crisp, grassy notes of Japanese Sencha. As the day wanes, she leans toward the calming qualities of Jasmine, the caffeine-free comfort of Chamomile—a tisane long championed by her late husband—or the balanced, floral character of the Yellow & Blue blend.

The Second Generation: Expertise and Innovation

The second generation of Harney leadership brings a specialized focus to the global stage. Mike Harney, serving as Vice President and Master Tea Buyer, joined the company in 1988 following a tenure in the hospitality industry, where he managed the Richmont Hotel in Chicago. His education at Cornell University in Hospitality Management provided him with the logistical framework to scale the family business. As the company’s primary taster and blender, Mike’s life is defined by travel and exploration, constantly seeking out the world’s most exceptional tea producers to bring back to the Harney & Sons inventory.

Beyond his role as a buyer, Mike is a recognized authority on the subject, having authored The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea in 2008. His philosophy of tea is centered on the concept of terroir—the idea that a tea’s flavor should be a distinct reflection of the specific climate, soil, and environment where it was grown. This dedication to the nuances of origin is the hallmark of his professional work and is reflected in his curated "Mike Harney’s Selects" collection.

Working alongside Mike is his wife, Brigitte Harney, whose own path to the company is a story of serendipity. Originally from Suresnes, France, Brigitte arrived in Connecticut in 1977 as an au pair. Her introduction to the Harney family during her time in the United States led to a connection that would ultimately span continents and decades. As a Manager and Buyer, Brigitte brings a refined palate and an intuitive understanding of the market to the company. Her personal favorites reflect a preference for quality and mood; while she is partial to the eponymous "Brigitte’s Blend"—a sophisticated mix of silvery Ceylon and full-leaf Assam—she also gravitates toward Supreme Breakfast for its robust profile. Her tea choices are seasonal, shifting from the deep, autumnal warmth of Panyang Congou or Thai Rooibos in the colder months to the bright, ephemeral notes of a first-flush Darjeeling as the weather turns.

The second generation is rounded out by Paul Harney, whose role as Vice President is defined by a spirit of relentless innovation. Paul has been the primary architect behind many of the company’s modern pivots, including the development of the organic ready-to-drink line and the implementation of pyramid sachet packaging. By utilizing larger, high-quality sachets, Paul enabled the company to offer the convenience of a tea bag without sacrificing the integrity of whole-leaf tea. His entrepreneurial drive also led to the co-founding of The Hemp Division in 2018, a venture that applies the family’s expertise in botanical sourcing to the burgeoning hemp industry. Paul’s personal tastes reflect his adventurous spirit; he is a particular fan of 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: Building for the Future

The evolution of Harney & Sons is perhaps most evident in the contributions of the third generation. Emeric Harney, the company’s Marketing Director, has essentially grown up within the industry. His early experiences—peeling labels as a toddler and working the retail floor by age 12—provided him with a grassroots education in brand identity. After successfully launching and managing the company’s SoHo retail location, Emeric transitioned into the marketing department in 2016. His role is holistic, spanning product development, brand strategy, and procurement. Whether he is developing a new blend like Apple Cinnamon or managing the digital voice of the brand, Emeric’s influence is felt across the company’s modern operations. His current preferences lean toward the complexity of Matcha iri Genmaicha in the morning and the grounded, earthy tones of Panyang Congou in the afternoon.

Joining him is Alex Harney, who serves as the company’s Content Director and Café Director. Alex’s childhood memories are inseparable from the family business; he vividly recalls working alongside his grandfather, John, to blend Earl Grey by hand, carefully infusing tea leaves with bergamot oil. This tactile, hands-on upbringing fostered a deep creative drive. When the company opened its café in Millerton in 2005, Alex took the lead as the executive chef, creating an extensive menu that mirrored the quality of the teas. Today, he balances his culinary expertise with his role as the director of film and photography, ensuring the visual identity of the brand matches the excellence of its products. His affinity for lightly oxidized oolongs, such as the Dong Ding Light or the Ali San Oolong, highlights a sophisticated palate that values subtlety and technical precision.

Looking Toward the Horizon

The current state of Harney & Sons is a reflection of a family that has successfully balanced tradition with the necessity of growth. From the early days in a basement to a multifaceted international brand, the company has remained consistent in its mission: to source, sample, blend, and share the finest teas available.

As the current team continues to manage the day-to-day operations, there is an inherent awareness that the family tree is still growing. The industry itself is ever-changing, presenting new, unexpected challenges and opportunities at every turn. While the future will inevitably bring new generations into the fold, the current leadership remains focused on the present, ensuring that every cup of tea delivered to a customer offers a moment of exception in their daily lives. The story of Harney & Sons is not just a history of tea; it is a living, evolving narrative of a family that continues to find common ground in the simple act of sharing a brew.