Archives For: Industry Updates

Pennsylvania Considers Fast-Tracking Vacant and Abandoned Property Foreclosures

Thirteen bipartisan sponsors have introduced and referred HB 1954 to the House Urban Affairs Committee. The legislation aims to reduce the timeframe for foreclosure on vacant and abandoned properties by 240 days.

5 Apr 2016

Portland Signals More Aggressive Approach to Vacant, Abandoned Homes

The Oregonian published an article discussing a plan by Portland, OR to clean up zombie properties.

5 Apr 2016

Clearboarding Demonstration Attracts Attention

DS News released an article highlighting a recent demonstration of polycarbonate window and door coverings that took place in the Cleveland, OH neighborhood of Slavic Village. The demonstration was conducted by Community Blight Solutions, founded by Chairman Robert Klein and featured Clearboarding products marketed through its SecureView Windows division.

4 Apr 2016

Zombie Foreclosures and the Crucial Role of Judges

Governing.com released an article discussing the impact judicial supervision of mortgage foreclosure cases can have in strengthening neighborhoods.

4 Apr 2016

Industry Leaders and Regulators Meet to Shape Housing Policy

DS News published an article highlighting the 2016 Five Star Government Forum, which took place in Washington, DC.

2 Apr 2016

This New Map Shows Where Investors Face Greatest Risk of Fracking Earthquakes

HousingWire published an article discussing research conducted by the United States Geological Survey.

29 Mar 2016

Tenant Protection Legislation Enacted in Utah

Utah Governor Gary Herbert has signed SB 22 (“Foreclosure of Residential Rental Property”) into law.

28 Mar 2016

Obama?s Top Housing Adviser Steps Down

DS News published an article discussing the announcement of Michael Stegman to step down as the National Economic Council (NEC)’s top housing adviser at the White House.

25 Mar 2016

Distressed Homeowners Still Turning to Permanent Loan Modifications

DS News published an article discussing data released by HOPE NOW in regards to at risk borrowers and the option of permanent loan modifications.

21 Mar 2016

Fast-Tracking Legislation for Vacant and Abandoned Properties Introduced in Maryland

On February 12, MD HB 1377 (“Real Property – Vacant and Abandoned Property – Expedited Foreclosure”) was introduced and had its first reading in the Environment and Transportation Committee. On March 14, the bill was referred to interim study by the Environment and Transportation Committee.

17 Mar 2016

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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