Uri Kaufman is the CEO of Harmony Group, a commercial real estate investment and development firm headquartered in Albany, New York. He established the company to combine his passion for historic preservation with his commitment to revitalizing neglected communities. Through Harmony Group, he focuses on converting old industrial buildings into residential spaces that retain their architectural character while promoting long-term neighborhood renewal. Uri and his business partner, Ira Schwartz, have established a strong track record of identifying undervalued real estate, redeveloping distressed assets, and managing highly complex development projects across the nation. Their work reflects a steady and thoughtful approach to transforming underutilized properties into valuable residential developments. Kaufman began his professional life as an attorney on Long Island after graduating with honors from New York University School of Law in 1989. After being let go from a legal job, he pivoted to real estate. He saw a unique opportunity in Upstate New York, where many historic buildings had the potential to be transformed into residential lofts while preserving their original design and structure. This vision led to the founding of Harmony Group. Since then, his focus has remained on restoring historic buildings and adapting them for modern living. His projects have earned awards at both the state and national levels. He is recognized for his ability to align multiple stakeholders, secure historic tax credits, and work with union labor while delivering projects that meet deadlines and adhere to regulatory standards. In addition to his work in real estate, he is also an author. In April 2025, he released American Intifada: Israel, the Gaza War and the New Antisemitism, which examines political perspectives related to Israel. In 2023, he published Eighteen Days in October: The Yom Kippur War and How It Created the Modern Middle East. The book is based on over two decades of research, including battlefield visits, interviews with veterans, and analysis of declassified documents translated from Hebrew, Russian, Arabic, and German. Significant publications and public figures received the book well. His writing has also appeared in Foreign Affairs, Newsweek, The Jerusalem Post, and The Independent. Kaufman completed his undergraduate studies at Queens College (CUNY), working while attending evening classes. He lives in Lawrence, Nassau County, Long Island, with his family. In his free time, he enjoys reading, biking, and playing hockey. Uri Kaufman continues to pursue his dedication to historical research and preservation, both through his real estate developments and his published works.