John Harney is a lifelong resident of Rutherford County where he is a commercial real estate broker with the Parks Group and CEO of Part Trust Development. He began his real estate career in 1984 and in 1989 moved to Bob Parks Realty to help create the commercial sales division.
John’s entrance into his profession came by much help and encouragement from his own father, Jack Harney. After getting his license in 1984 John joined his father in business.
“He was a great mentor to me, giving me a big leg up in the understanding of the business until his death in 1987,” John said. “Then Bob Parks gave me a tremendous opportunity to come to his company in 1989 where I started to solely concentrate on commercial and real estate development.”
In the early 90s, John became a partner in Park Trust Development. John has been involved in developing more than 25 residential communities as well as office condominium parks and multiple industrial park projects including the Joe B Jackson Pkwy and I-24 industrial parkway corridor.
Longevity and success are two words synonymous with John Harney’s name, and he says he learned early on the importance of hard work and knowledge.
“It’s important to be absolutely as knowledgeable as possible about every detail surrounding a property whether selling, leasing or developing it,” he said. John has been the number one ranked commercial broker throughout the Parks company for the past several years.
John is a graduate of Leadership Rutherford; past board member of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce; past president of the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring; an Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver Award recipient and has been an executive board member of the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts for more than 30 years; presently a trustee of the Sam Davis Home Memorial Association.
John was named 2018 Business Person of the Year by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.
It goes without saying that community matters greatly to John. He says he’s most passionate about “making sure our community is and will be a great place for our children and grandchildren to live, work and raise their families.”
John and his wife, Debbie, have been married for 41 years. Together they have two children: Justin Harney, who is the builder/owner of Harney Homes specializing in both single family and townhome construction and Jaclyn Williams who is a successful residential real estate agent with Parks Realty and also utilizes her interior design degree in assisting with selections for Harney Homes.
John and Debbie have three grandchildren; London, Hagen and Jack. John and Debbie are very active in World Outreach Church and John is on the board of Intend Ministries.
Without question, John loves Rutherford County and will do whatever it takes to play his part in its continued growth and improvement. What does he like most? It’s quite simple.
“Unquestionably the people,” he said. “They are kind, generous, caring people who are always willing to help others and contribute to make Rutherford County a great place to live and raise our families.”
John has been instrumental in bringing a number of businesses, developments and industries to Rutherford County and Middle Tennessee.
Restaurant deals include Red Lobster, Logan’s, Ruby Tuesdays, Chili’s, Demos’, Toot’s, Metro Diner, Waffle House and a multitude of fast food chain locations including Taco Bell, Sonic, Starbucks, Bojangles, Slim Chicken, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Steak & Shake, Checkers, and Koji Express.
His involvement goes beyond restaurants, as well, having a big hand in the Amazon Distribution center, NHK and Interstate Warehousing, Verizon Call Center, Tennessee Technology Center in Smyrna, Nelson Mazda, Chevrolet of Murfreesboro, CarMax and Honda of Murfreesboro, several Class A office buildings in the Gateway/Medical Center Pkwy corridor, numerous apartment complex developments throughout Rutherford County and several retail shopping centers.
At the end of the day, John’s key driving forces in life is simple yet wise. “I try to ensure whatever I say and do is following God’s will for my life,” he said.