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MBA Finds Stevens Successor: Meet the New President and CEO

Industry Update
June 7, 2018

Source: HousingWire

Robert Broeksmit set to take over in August

The Mortgage Bankers Association today revealed its new president and CEO to take over this summer.

Last October, at the MBA Annual Convention in Denver, MBA President and CEO David Stevens announced his upcoming retirement. He announced he will be stepping down as of September 30, 2018, to allow the MBA time to choose a new leader.

Now, the MBA has done just that.

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The organization sent out a letter to its members Thursday announcing its Board of Directors approved of Robert Broeksmit as the next president and CEO. Broeksmit will join the MBA beginning August 20, 2018.

The MBA explained Broeksmit’s tenure will overlap with Stevens for a couple weeks as he brings Broeksmit up to speed on internal and external issues facing the association and the industry. Stevens will also begin to introduce the new president to critical contacts, policymakers, consumer advocates and other stakeholders.

He joins the organization from Treliant Risk Advisors, where he currently served as president and chief operating officer.

In looking for Stevens’ replacement, the MBA formed a search committee, chaired by its immediate past chairman, Rodrigo Lopez, and comprised of 12 members from diverse business models. The search committee utilized SpencerStuart, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm.

Broeksmit has spent his 33-year career in mortgage banking, and held a variety of senior leadership positions including president of B.F. Saul Mortgage, executive vice president of Chevy Chase Bank and vice president at Prudential Home Mortgage.

Broeksmit previously served on the MBA board and as chairman of RESBOG. He also served as chairman of the American Bankers Association’s Mortgage Markets Committee.

“In closing, I want to give my everlasting thanks to Dave Stevens for the last seven and a half years,” MBA Chairman David Motley said in a letter to members. “Dave was the right leader at the right time and MBA has never been stronger than it is today.”

“Dave has given his heart and soul to the MBA and on behalf of the entire membership, we are incredibly grateful for his leadership,” Motley concluded.

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