Allen Harris, Jr. was a native of Johnson City, Tennessee. Allen received his Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University in 1929. Allen served as MFMA president from 1981-1989.
Harris Manufacturing Company was established in 1898 by Allen's father, Allen Harris Sr. Upon graduation from Harvard, Allen took over the business from his father in 1929, and began his tenure as Harris Manufacturing Company's chief executive officer. Allen oversaw the combination of his family's business with Tarkett Flooring in 1983, and the merged company became known as Harris Tarkett, Inc. Harris Manufacturing Company and its successor company Harris Tarkett Inc. were MFMA members from 1960 until 1996.
Allen was honored with many industry awards and acknowledgements throughout his career, including induction in the inaugural class of the National Wood Flooring Association's Hall of Fame. He also received the George L. Carter Award from Eastern Tennessee State University in 1989.