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Largest Provider of Default Services Utilizes Tech to Push the Field Services Industry Forward

Safeguard in the News
February 1, 2019

Source: HousingWire

Safeguard Properties continues to enhance its SafeView Field Services Platform with next-gen multimedia mobile application

As the largest provider of mortgage default field services, Safeguard Properties leads the industry by delivering a full spectrum of services on vacant, defaulted and foreclosed properties across the country. As an industry leader, Safeguard’s commitment to technology has pushed the field services industry forward.

“Safeguard is more than a property preservation company — we protect the communities where you work and call home,” said Alan Jaffa, CEO at Safeguard. “To maintain our longstanding reputation as an advocate within the housing industry, a variety of tools have been created to protect and partner with jurisdictions, addressing the challenges facing properties within communities across the country.”

Safeguard continues to enhance its SafeView Field Services Platform with advanced video and audio capabilities and a next-generation multimedia mobile application, utilized by Safeguard contractors out in the field.

“We have added these capabilities to our suite of systems and included mobile offerings that remain at the forefront of the mortgage field services industry over the past couple of years,” Jaffa said. “The addition of video, audio and panoramic will provide servicers with valuable information necessary to assess property damage and validate bids.”

Designed to meet the ever-changing needs of the mortgage servicing industry, the platform improves the timeliness and quality of all Safeguard services. SafeView provides order processing, routing, invoicing and reporting services to ensure quality results to clients through a dynamic rules-based engine.

Consisting of five modules, the platform delivers end-to-end automated order management, mobile data collection, workflow, billing and analytics through its integrated field services software. Those five modules include:

•SafeView Connect: Serves as the integration gateway, allowing configurable work orders, results and invoicing data exchange to connect vendors, clients and other partners.

•SafeView Inspect: An integrated mobile inspection app and administrative portal designed to provide full-service field support to the company’s inspectors.

•SafeView Preserve: An integrated mobile property maintenance app and administrative portal utilized by contractors to receive, assign and complete property preservation work orders.

•SafeView Access: Designed for clients to manage their portfolio by providing the property-level details including the status of work orders, bids and the results of work that has been performed.

•SafeView Analytics: Provides customizable current, historical and location-based data analytics and reporting of field services operations through the life cycle of property inspections and maintenance.

Safeguard has optimized technology through mobile location, business intelligence and tracking to help identify location accuracy, quality-check data and ensure the right work is being done to support compliance requirements. The company is also the first to begin utilizing multimedia capabilities within its app.

“Advancements in video and enhancing our SafeView Field Services Platforms will continue to be our focus in 2019,” Jaffa said.

Additionally, Safeguard has built strong relationships and partnerships with local communities and key industry members, such as city officials and code enforcement officers, to provide education and assistance.

For the past 14 years, Safeguard has hosted the annual National Property Preservation Conference, bringing together industry leaders to discuss current issues in the industry and to develop solutions.

“Since our founding, Safeguard has developed and maintained a reputation as an industry leader to advance best practices through innovation, raise the profile of the industry and open lines of communication between the servicing industry and government officials across the country,” Jaffa said.

The Executives

Alan Jaffa, CEO

Alan Jaffa joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was named CEO in May 2010 and under his leadership has steered 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’s business model into complementary markets.

Michael Greenbaum, COO

Michael Greenbaum joined the company in July 2010 as vice president of REO and was promoted to COO in 2015. Under his leadership, all operational departments of Safeguard have reviewed, updated and enhanced their business processes to maximize efficiency and improve quality control.

Linda Erkkila, General Counsel and Executive Vice President

Linda Erkkila oversees responsibilities for the legal, human resources, training, compliance and audit departments. Her previous experience at a former Fortune 500 financial institution during the subprime crisis helped develop Erkkila’s proactive approach to change management during periods of heightened regulatory scrutiny. She was also named an HW Women of Influence in 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