Harris Ryland is a big-time Texas transportation executive, who is as sly as he is rich and continues to his ex-wife, Ann Ewing in her new life.

Ann tried to help Bobby by going to Harris to have him pull his trucks from the ranch to prevent oil from leaving Southfork. He sent her a necklace that made her upset. Bobby punched him out, and was arrested for assault. Harris dropped the charges once Bobby apologized. He tried to blackmail Sue Ellen Ewing to launder money through her campaign fund. He was forced to drop his plan when Ann secretly recorded him confessing to the deed. In the end of episode Sins of the father he was shot by Ann Ewing.