Tropical Storm Florence Approach Prompts State-of-Emergency Declaration in North Carolina

Updated 10/25/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence from September 7-29, 2018.

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Updated 10/24/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence from September 7-29, 2018.

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Updated 10/24/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in South Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence from September 8 to October 8, 2018.

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Updated 10/22/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence from September 7-29, 2018.

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Updated 10/18/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Virginia affected by Hurricane Florence from September 8-21, 2018.

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Updated 10/16/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in South Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence from September 8 to October 8, 2018.

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Updated 10/15/18: FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Virginia affected by Hurricane Florence from September 8-21, 2018.

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Updated 10/14/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence from September 7-29, 2018.

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Updated 10/12/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence from September 7-29, 2018.

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Updated 10/3/18: Freddie Mac issued a release providing guidance and flexibilities for impacted mortgages to be sold and serviced (for Freddie Mac).

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Updated 10/2/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in South Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 8, 2018 and continuing.

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Updated 9/27/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 7, 2018 and continuing.

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Updated 9/26/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in South Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 8, 2018 and continuing.

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Updated 9/25/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in South Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 8, 2018 and continuing.

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Updated 9/24/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 7, 2018 and continuing.

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Updated 9/21/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in South Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 8, 2018 and continuing.

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Updated 9/20/2018:  The Weather Channel issued a report titled Before and After Aerial Photos Reveal Florence’s Devastation.

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Updated 9/19/2018: Waste 360 published a report titled Post-Florence Cleanup: What to Do with Trash, Recycling, Storm Debris.

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Updated 9/19/18: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued an announcement titled Servicing Relief to Borrowers Affected by Hurricane Florence.

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Updated 9/18/18: Fannie Mae issued a release titled Don’t Let Fraud Add to the Pain of a Natural Disaster.

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Updated 9/18/18: The Weather Channel issued a report outlining tornado damage in parts of Virginia.

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Approximate areas sustaining property damage

Virginia
Birkdale (Chesterfield County, 23832, 23112)
Chesterfield (Chesterfield County, 23832)
Hampton Park (Chesterfield County, 23832)
Midlothian (Chesterfield County, 23113. 23114)

NOTE: This has NOT yet been declared a Presidential Major Disaster.

Updated 9/18/18: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued Circular 26-18-18: Special Relief Following Hurricane Florence.

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Updated 9/17/18: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 7, 2018 and continuing.

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Updated 9/17/18: The Weather Channel issued a report titled Florence’s Heavy Rain Threat Spreads to the Northeast as Major to Record River Flooding Continues in Carolinas.

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Updated 9/16/18: FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in South Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 8, 2018 and continuing.

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Updated 9/15/18: The Weather Channel published a report titled Catastrophic Flood Threat Increases This Weekend as Florence Crawls Across the Carolinas Into Appalachia.

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Updated 9/14/18: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued FHA INFO #18-40: Reminder — Guidance for FHA-Approved Mortgagees and Servicers Regarding Presidentially-Declared Major Disaster Areas.

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Updated 9/14/18: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued FHA INFO #18-40: Reminder — Guidance for FHA-Approved Mortgagees and Servicers Regarding Presidentially-Declared Major Disaster Areas.

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Updated 9/14/18: FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 7, 2018 and continuing.

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Updated 9/14/18: The Weather Channel issued a report titled Florence Moving Slowly Crossing Carolina Border; Catastrophic Flash Flooding to Hammer the Carolinas, Appalachia.

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Updated 9/13/18: The Weather Channel issued a report titled Hurricane Florence’s Long Siege is Beginning; Storm Surge, Catastrophic Flash Flooding, High Winds to Hammer the Carolinas, Appalachia.

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Updated 9/12/18: The office of Georgia Governor Nathan Deal issued a press release titled Deal issues emergency declaration for all 159 counties.

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Link to County ZIP Code List

Note: This is independent from any FEMA Declared Disaster.

Updated 9/12/18: Freddie Mac issued a news release titled Freddie Mac Confirms Disaster Relief Policies as Hurricane Florence Approaches.

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Updated 9/12/18: Fannie Mae issued a news release titled Fannie Mae Reminds Homeowners and Servicers of Mortgage Assistance Options for Areas Affected by Hurricane Florence.

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Updated 9/11/18: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Virginia due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 8 and continuing.

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Link to County ZIP Code List

Note: This has not yet been declared a Presidential Major Disaster.

Updated 9/11/18: The Weather Channel issued a report titled Hurricane Florence Targets Carolinas, Appalachians, With Potentially Catastrophic Flooding, Destructive Winds; Hurricane Warning Issued.

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Updated 9/11/18: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a press release titled OCC Allows National Banks and Federal Savings Associations Affected by Hurricane Florence in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic to Close.

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Updated 9/10/18: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in North Carolina due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 7, 2018 and continuing.

Link to declaration

Link to County ZIP Code List

Note: This has not yet been declared a Presidential Major Disaster.

Updated 9/10/18: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in South Carolina due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 8, 2018 and continuing.

Link to declaration

Link to County ZIP Code List

Note: This has not yet been declared a Presidential Major Disaster.

Updated 9/10/18: Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued a statewide emergency declaration in anticipation of Hurricane Florence.

Link to declaration

Link to County ZIP Code List

Note: This is independent from any FEMA Declared Disaster.

Updated 9/10/18: ABC Columbia published an article titled Governor McMaster Orders Mandatory Evacuations for SC Coastal Counties.

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Updated 9/10/18: FOX News issued a report titled Hurricane Florence’s path: Track the storm here.

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Updated 9/8/18: The office of South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued Executive Order 2018-26.

Link to executive order

Link to associated county ZIP Code list

Note: This is independent from any FEMA Declared Disaster

Updated 9/8/18: The office of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a press release titled Governor Northam Declares State of Emergency in Advance of Tropical Storm Florence.

Link to declaration

Link to associated county ZIP Code list

Note: This is independent from any FEMA Declared Disaster

All Client Alert
September 8, 2018

Source: FOX News

Additional Resources:

Office of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (Executive Order No. 51)

North Carolina Emergency Declaration County ZIP Code List

North/South Carolina Coastal County ZIP Code List

Safeguard Properties Disaster Update Center

Please Note: This has not yet been declared a Presidential Major Disaster

Tropical Storm Florence drew closer to the East Coast overnight and was expected to reach hurricane strength Sunday — possibly becoming a major hurricane thereafter, forecasters said early Saturday.

The approaching storm prompted North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to declare a state of emergency, a step that makes resources available for addressing the storm’s effects.

In a 5 a.m. ET Saturday update, the National Hurricane Center placed the storm southeast of Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. It was moving  west at 9 mph.

The storm was expected to bring heavy rain, dangerous surf and rip currents to North Carolina, where Cooper called on residents, specifically farmers, to make preparations.

“While it’s still too early to know the storm’s path, we know we have to be prepared,” Cooper said in a news release. “During harvest, time is of the essence. Action today can avoid losses due to Florence.”

Cooper signed a transportation waiver that would allow farmers to harvest and transport their crops more quickly.

“The executive order will help gather and move crops in and through the state more easily and quickly in response to problems that could be caused by Tropical Storm Florence in North Carolina and along the East Coast,” the governor’s statement said.

Cooper said that emergency management officials were working with local and federal officials to prepare for “possible impacts” from Florence.

“We are entering the peak of hurricane season and we know well the unpredictability and power of these storms,” Cooper said.

Along similar lines, South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division was advising coastal residents to start making contingency plans.

“The risk of other direct impacts associated with Florence along the U.S. East Coast next week has increased. However, there is still very large uncertainty in model forecasts of Florence’s track beyond day (five), making it too soon to determine the exact location, magnitude, and timing of these impacts,” hurricane specialist Robbie Berg wrote in a forecast advisory.

Forecasters said it was too early to tell where Florence will go. Some forecast models indicated the storm slamming into land sometime late next week, while others indicate it would curve away from the sore. The storm reached major hurricane status Wednesday, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

Meanwhile, a new tropical storm, “Helene,” has formed in the eastern Atlantic off the western coast of Africa. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Friday night that Helene was located about 405 miles east of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands. The storm’s maximum sustained winds were 40 mph and it was moving west at 12 mph.

“Since we are near the peak of hurricane season, this is a good time for everyone who lives in a hurricane-prone area to ensure they have their hurricane plan in place,” hurricane specialist David Zelinsky wrote in a forecast advisory.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the chief executive officer for Safeguard, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to chief operating officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® finalist in 2013.

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Chief Operating Officer

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the chief operating officer for Safeguard. Mike has been instrumental in aligning operations to become more efficient, effective, and compliant with our ever-changing industry requirements. Mike has a proven track record of excellence, partnership and collaboration at Safeguard. Under Mike’s leadership, all operational departments of Safeguard have reviewed, updated and enhanced their business processes to maximize efficiency and improve quality control.

Mike joined Safeguard in July 2010 as vice president of REO and has continued to take on additional duties and responsibilities within the organization, including the role of vice president of operations in 2013 and then COO in 2015.

Mike built his business career in supply-chain management, operations, finance and marketing. He has held senior management and executive positions with Erico, a manufacturing company in Solon, Ohio; Accel, Inc., a packaging company in Lewis Center, Ohio; and McMaster-Carr, an industrial supply company in Aurora, Ohio.

Before entering the business world, Mike served in the U.S. Army, Ordinance Branch, and specialized in supply chain management. He is a distinguished graduate of West Point (U.S. Military Academy), where he majored in quantitative economics.

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CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Sean Reddington

Sean Reddington is the new Chief Information Officer for Safeguard Properties LLC. Sean has over 15+ years of experience in Information Services Management with a strong focus on Product and Application Management. Sean is responsible for Safeguard’s technological direction, including planning, implementation and maintaining all operational systems

Sean has a proven record of accomplishment for increasing operational efficiencies, improving customer service levels, and implementing and maintaining IT initiatives to support successful business processes.  He has provided the vision and dedicated leadership for key technologies for Fortune 100 companies, and nationally recognized consulting firms including enterprise system architecture, security, desktop and database management systems. Sean possesses strong functional and system knowledge of information security, systems and software, contracts management, budgeting, human resources and legal and related regulatory compliance.

Sean joined Safeguard Properties LLC from RenPSG Inc. which is a nationally leading Philintropic Software Platform in the Fintech space. He oversaw the organization’s technological direction including planning, implementing and maintaining the best practices that align with all corporate functions. He also provided day-to-day technology operations, enterprise security, information risk and vulnerability management, audit and compliance, security awareness and training.

Prior to RenPSG, Sean worked for DMI Consulting as a Client Success Director where he guided the delivery in a multibillion-dollar Fortune 500 enterprise client account. He was responsible for all project deliveries in terms of quality, budget and timeliness and led the team to coordinate development and definition of project scope and limitations. Sean also worked for KPMG Consulting in their Microsoft Practice and Technicolor’s Ebusiness Division where he had responsibility for application development, maintenance, and support.

Sean is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts and received his Masters in International Business from Central Michigan University. He was also a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force prior to his career in the business world.

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General Counsel and Executive Vice President

Linda Erkkila, Esq.

Linda Erkkila is the general counsel and executive vice president for Safeguard and oversees the legal, human resources, training, and compliance departments. Linda’s responsibilities cover regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, enterprise strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, litigation and claims management, and mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. Her practice spans over 20 years, and Linda’s experience covers regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, executive compensation, litigation management, and merger and acquisition activity. Her experience at a former Fortune 500 financial institution during the subprime crisis helped develop Linda’s pro-active approach to change management during periods of heightened regulatory scrutiny.

Linda previously served as vice president and attorney for National City Corporation, as securities and corporate governance counsel for Agilysys Inc., and as an associate at Thompson Hine LLP. She earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Linda holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. In 2017, Linda was named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

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Chief Financial Officer

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Accounting & Information Security departments, and is a Managing Director of SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Joe has been in a wide variety of roles in finance, supply chain management, information systems development, and sales and marketing. His career includes senior positions with McMaster-Carr Supply Company, Newell/Rubbermaid, and Procter and Gamble.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

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AVP, High Risk and Investor Compliance

Steve Meyer

Steve Meyer is the assistant vice president of high risk and investor compliance for Safeguard. In this role, Steve is responsible for managing our clients’ conveyance processes, Safeguard’s investor compliance team and developing our working relationships with cities and municipalities around the country. He also works directly with our clients in our many outreach efforts and he represents Safeguard at a number of industry conferences each year.

Steve joined Safeguard in 1998 as manager over the hazard claims team. He was instrumental in the development and creation of policies, procedures and operating protocol. Under Steve’s leadership, the department became one of the largest within Safeguard. In 2002, he assumed responsibility for the newly-formed high risk department, once again building its success. Steve was promoted to director over these two areas in 2007, and he was promoted to assistant vice president in 2012.

Prior to joining Safeguard, Steve spent 10 years within the insurance industry, holding a number of positions including multi-line property adjuster, branch claims supervisor, and multi-line and subrogation/litigation supervisor. Steve is a graduate of Grove City College.

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AVP, Operations

Jennifer Jozity

Jennifer Jozity is the assistant vice president of operations, overseeing inspections, REO and property preservation for Safeguard. Jen ensures quality work is performed in the field and internally, to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations. Jen has demonstrated the ability to deliver consistent results in order audit and order management.  She will build upon these strengths in order to deliver this level of excellence in both REO and property preservation operations.

Jen joined Safeguard in 1997 and was promoted to director of inspections operations in 2009 and assistant vice president of inspections operations in 2012.

She graduated from Cleveland State University with a degree in business.

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AVP, Finance

Jennifer Anspach

Jennifer Anspach is the assistant vice president of finance for Safeguard. She is responsible for the company’s national workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. She manages recruitment strategies, employee relations, training, personnel policies, retention, payroll and benefits programs. Additionally, Jennifer has oversight of the accounts receivable and loss functions formerly within the accounting department.

Jennifer joined the company in April 2009 as a manager of accounting and finance and a year later was promoted to director. She was named AVP of human capital in 2014. Prior to joining Safeguard, she held several management positions at OfficeMax and InkStop in both operations and finance.

Jennifer is a graduate of Youngstown State University. She was named a Crain’s Cleveland Business Archer Award finalist for HR Executive of the Year in 2017.

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AVP, Application Architecture

Rick Moran

Rick Moran is the assistant vice president of application architecture for Safeguard. Rick is responsible for evolving the Safeguard IT systems. He leads the design of Safeguard’s enterprise application architecture. This includes Safeguard’s real-time integration with other systems, vendors and clients; the future upgrade roadmap for systems; and standards designed to meet availability, security, performance and goals.

Rick has been with Safeguard since 2011. During that time, he has led the system upgrades necessary to support Safeguard’s growth. In addition, Rick’s team has designed and implemented several innovative systems.

Prior to joining Safeguard, Rick was director of enterprise architecture at Revol Wireless, a privately held CDMA Wireless provider in Ohio and Indiana, and operated his own consulting firm providing services to the manufacturing, telecommunications, and energy sectors.

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AVP, Technology Infrastructure and Cloud Services

Steve Machovina

Steve Machovina is the assistant vice president of technology infrastructure and cloud services for Safeguard. He is responsible for the overall management and design of Safeguard’s hybrid cloud infrastructure. He manages all technology engineering staff who support data centers, telecommunications, network, servers, storage, service monitoring, and disaster recovery.

Steve joined Safeguard in November 2013 as director of information technology operations.

Prior to joining Safeguard, Steve was vice president of information technology at Revol Wireless, a privately held wireless provider in Ohio and Indiana. He also held management positions with Northcoast PCS and Corecomm Communications, and spent nine years as a Coast Guard officer and pilot.

Steve holds a BBA in management information systems from Kent State University in Ohio and an MBA from Wayne State University in Michigan.

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Assistant Vice president of Application Development

Steve Goberish

Steve Goberish, is the assistant vice president of application development for Safeguard. He is responsible for the maintenance and evolution of Safeguard’s vendor systems ensuring high-availability, security and scalability while advancing the vendor products’ capabilities and enhancing the vendor experience.

Prior to joining Safeguard, Steve was a senior technical architect and development manager at First American Title Insurance, a publicly held title insurance provider based in southern California, in addition to managing and developing applications in multiple sectors from insurance to VOIP.

Steve has a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in Ohio.