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Assemblyman Introduces Foreclosure Relief

Industry Update
September 16, 2015

Brian Curran says bureaucratic red-tape is causing foreclosure threats

Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21st A.D.) announced last week that he has introduced legislation to provide eligible homeowners in areas of New York State affected by Hurricane Sandy with more time to receive their entitled funds during foreclosure proceedings.

Curran initiated this legislation, he said, because the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and NY Rising, a reconstruction program for victims of Hurricane Irene and Sandy, have taken too long to provide initial, necessary or adequate awards to homeowners looking to rebuild their homes.

“We are approaching the three-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy and we still have families, some with vacant properties, who are being foreclosed on,” said Curran. “If these families received the necessary and adequate funds for rebuilding their homes in the first place, their properties wouldn’t be foreclosed on. Our homeowners simply need more time to appeal the original receipt of funds in the event, especially when, is more often than not, the first influx of funds is wrong or inadequate. The bureaucracy and red tape in this process is drastically failing our Long Island families who are certainly not at fault for the act of nature that destroyed their livelihoods. This legislation will give them more time to acquire the funds they require.”

Curran said the legislation has been introduced but there is not yet a bill number. He noted that in the past, when FEMA or NY Rising has given an award to qualified homeowners, the award is either wrong or inadequate based on the paperwork that had been filed. He said that homeowners have no choice then but to appeal this award for more funds, which takes more time, while banks want to foreclose on the property.

“This legislation is for the victims who still haven’t rebuilt from Sandy,” said Curran. “It’s very tragic and embarrassing that rebuilding has taken this long and that families are having empty property lots foreclosed on because they lack adequate funding. I will certainly be pushing for the passage of this legislation when we return to Albany for either a special session of the legislature or the new 2016 Legislative Session.”

Source: LI HERALD.COM

CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, 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® Award finalist in 2013.

Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to 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. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

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.

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties