Archives For: Industry Updates

Panel Pushes City Eminent Domain in Newark “Foreclosure Crisis”

LOCALTALKNEWS.COM released an article discussing a recent panel convened by Communities United NJ regarding the city’s use of eminent domain to halt the foreclosure of blighted properties.

7 Aug 2015

Higgins Proposes Legislation to Expedite Sale of Foreclosed Homes by Banks

A recent article published by The Buffalo News discussed the Vacant Homes Act of 2015 (H.R. 3203), which was introduced by Representative Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) on July 23.

29 Jul 2015

Bill Could be Useful Tool in Property Maintenance

On July 22, standardspeaker.com posted an article discussing PA HB 795, a piece of proposed legislation currently in the Pennsylvania Assembly that would address property registration and maintenance.

28 Jul 2015

Blight Money for Detroit, Other Cities, Safe in Transportation Bill

On July 24, the Detroit Free Press published an article discussing a Senate decision to not rescind unspent money from the Hardest Hit Fund in order to help pay for a transportation measure (DRIVE Act).

27 Jul 2015

Arena Deal Gives City Tools on Foreclosed Homes, Unregistered Cars

A recent article released by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discussed Senate Bill 209, a piece of legislation that includes a “provision that forces buyers of foreclosed properties from Milwaukee County sheriff’s sales to record their deeds.

22 Jul 2015

Bill Aims to Target Blighted Property Problem in Maine Cities

On June 30, ME LD 1203/SP 430 was enacted by the Senate after a vote to override a veto by Governor Paul LePage. 

 

21 Jul 2015

Indianapolis Amends Code for Vacant Building Standards

On July 14, the Indianpolis Star published an article titled Council passes ‘zombie homes’ ordinance.

 

21 Jul 2015

Milwaukee Council Approves Ordinance Identifying Homes Near Foreclosure

On June 23, the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel published an article titled Aldermen pass measure targeting zombie houses.

17 Jul 2015

Remediating Abandoned, Inner City Buildings Reduces Crime and Violence in Surrounding Areas, Penn Study Finds

The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School Of Medicine issued a news release discussing a recent study conducted by University researchers.

8 Jul 2015

Menendez Bill Would Help Homeowners at Risk of Foreclosure Stay in Their Homes

On June 16, the office of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) issued a press release discussing the introduction of the Preserving American Homeownership Act of 2015.

7 Jul 2015

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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