Archives For: Industry Updates

Foreclosures in the Big Apple

DS News published an article outlining a recent report from Property Shark detailing fourth quarter 2018 foreclosure activity in New York City.

4 Jan 2019

Cuyahoga County Considers Sweeping Housing Program to Stabilize Neighborhoods

Cleveland.com published an article outlining a proposed Cuyahoga County, Ohio, plan aiming to stabilize home values and eliminate blight. The plan also would redirect the county land bank to focus on property rehabilitation as opposed to demolition.

4 Jan 2019

Rockford Approves Land Bank to Clean-Up Problem Properties

WREX NBC 13 issued a report confirming an approved land bank agreement between the City of Rockford, Ill., and several counties.

2 Jan 2019

Happy Holidays, the Government is Still Shut Down

HousingWire published an article outlining the effects of the partial federal government shutdown on the housing industry.

26 Dec 2018

Servicers’ Status for 2019? It’s Complicated

National Mortgage News published an article offering a preliminary outlook for mortgage servicing for the coming year.

24 Dec 2018

The Hidden Costs of Vacant Properties

Hot Air published an article discussing the negative impacts of vacant properties in cities like St. Louis, Mo.

21 Dec 2018

Approved Ohio Bill Amends Provisions for Mortgage Servicer Registration

House Bill 489 has been signed by Governor John Kasich. The law will become effective 91 days after filling with the secretary of state.

19 Dec 2018

Publication Service in Foreclosure

DS News published an article authored by Codliss & Associates, P.C. Attorney Lauren Riddick. In it, Riddick explores the importance of “personal jurisdiction” in foreclosure cases.

17 Dec 2018

Calif. App. Court Rules Servicer and Investor Did Not Violate HBOR

Lexology posted a blog authored by Maurice Wutscher LLP Attorney Ernest Wagner. In it, Wagner outlines a recent California Fourth District Court of Appeals decision relating to the California Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR).

17 Dec 2018

Bill to Permit Municipal Land Banking with Online Database Clears Committee

Insider NJ published an article announcing that legislation aiming to permit municipal land banking in conjunction with online property database development in New Jersey cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

10 Dec 2018

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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.

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