Archives For: Industry Updates

Servicing Game-Changer

A new white paper from HousingWire and Community Blight Solutions explores how the 2016 decision by Fannie Mae to reimburse servicers for the use of polycarbonate clearboarding could have a major impact on the effort to reduce blight across the country.

24 Feb 2017

Shooting for the Stars

DS News published an article discussing how servicers can compete with rocket mortgages in 2017.

20 Feb 2017

State Regulators Stepping Up Servicer Exams

National Mortgage News published an article discussing the rising number of mortgage servicer examinations conducted by individual state regulators and the Multistate Mortgage Committee (MMC).

17 Feb 2017

Home Values Severely Impacted by Environmental Hazards

DS News published an article discussing findings from the latest ATTOM Data Solutions Environmental Hazards Housing Risk Index.

15 Feb 2017

Not all Materials are Created Equal

DS News released an article outlining a report commissioned by Community Blight Solutions that outlines the benefits of using polycarbonate clearboarding to secure and maintain vacant properties.

14 Feb 2017

Bankruptcy Case Update: A Flawless Foreclosure is Not Preference

Barley Snyder Attorneys at Law released an article authored by Attorney Joseph P. Schalk. In it, Schalk discusses a Pennsylvania court case in which a judge held that a sheriff sale cannot be reversed by way of a preferential transfer action.

13 Feb 2017

Sen. Blumenthal and Rep. Ellison Introduce the Permanently Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act

The office of Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN) issued a press release announcing the introduction of H.R. 915/S.325 (Permanently Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act).

13 Feb 2017

Tenant Protection Bills Proposed in Several States

Several pieces of legislation revolving around the subject of tenant protection have been introduced in the states of Indiana, New York and Virginia.

9 Feb 2017

Arizona Court: Lender Who Bought Property at Foreclosure by Full Credit Bid Entitled to Title Insurance Coverage

Quarles & Brady LLP posted an article authored by Partner Sarah R. Anchors. The article discusses a recent decision from the Arizona Supreme Court.

9 Feb 2017

Fallout from Home Mortgage Crisis: Lender Claims Property Appraisers Are Liable for Lost Collateral Value

The National Law Review published an article authored by Vincent E. Gentile of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. The article explores a series of nine lawsuits filed by a trustee against appraisers whose appraisals were the basis for mortgage loans.

9 Feb 2017

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties