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Melbourne Tech Company Crumbles: ProChamps Files for Liquidation

Industry Update
June 29, 2023

Source: thespacecoastrocket.com

In a troubling development, Melbourne-based company Property Registration Champions (ProChamps), once a front-runner in the field of technology-driven property registration and compliance, has announced that it is filing as an assignee for the benefit of creditors, also known as an ABC. This drastic measure underscores the company’s financial woes, despite the assurances given by its leadership in the past.

An assignee for the benefit of creditors (ABC) is a method of liquidation that companies resort to when they can no longer meet their financial obligations. In essence, it involves the debtor company relinquishing its assets to a third-party assignee, who will then proceed to liquidate them for the purpose of paying off the company’s creditors. The petition was filed in Orange County under case number 2023-CA-013217-O and states that ProChamps currently owes $7,276,114.49 to its secured creditor, Bank United, $46,524.42 in unpaid paid time off (PTO) to employees, $1,023,563.46 to almost 300 municipalities, and $1,062,637.29 in accounts payable to law firms, Post Capital Management, LLC, and other vendors.

Post Capital Partners, the primary investor in ProChamps, has directed the company to file for the ABC. The firm, led by Managing Partner Michael Pfeffer, has historically invested in and nurtured mid-sized businesses. Despite their involvement, ProChamps finds itself unable to take any further measures to stay afloat, raising questions about the investment firm’s oversight. This unfortunate circumstance at ProChamps paints a picture of a company in crisis, even with the backing of an experienced investor.

A municipal official from Pennsylvania who asked that his name not be included in this article had this to say: “We worked with ProChamps for years without interruption. This was sudden. We think we’re out about $7,000 – so far. I’ve talked to others that are in the same boat. We’re relatively small. I’m sure the larger communities are going to take a hit over this. It’s a shame.”

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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