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National Housing Conference Solutions 2013

National Housing Conference
Solutions 2013
Atlanta, GA
September 17, 2013

Last month, the National Housing Conference (NHC) convened for Solutions 2013, the national conference on state and local housing policy. The conference featured concurrent tracks with sessions on:

  • Restoring neighborhoods
  • Solutions for inclusive communities
  • How housing matters
  • Housing communications

Under the restoring neighborhoods track was a session titled, Community Strategies for Combating Blight moderated by Lisa Sturtevant, Ph.D., vice president for research for the National Housing Conference and executive director for the Center for Housing Policy. Participating in the panel were:

  • Tyler Smith, vice president, REO community development, Wells Fargo
  • Adam Gross, director, regional affordable housing initiative, Business and Professional People for the Public Interest
  • Michael Braverman, deputy commissioner, code enforcement, Baltimore Housing
  • Michael Halpern, director of community initiatives, Safeguard Properties

Initial discussions focused on the current landscape in neighborhoods dealing with blight and vacant and abandoned properties. Braverman discussed the Vacant-to-Values program in Baltimore that has generated additional private sector investment in the city. Halpern discussed the increase in REO-to-rental companies that have purchased a significant volume of foreclosed homes. Communities continue to struggle to identify the proper organization and contact person to address maintenance issues. With additional entities, concerns have been raised that this will be exasperated. Several organizations have made a concerted effort to ensure transparency for municipal staff.

Smith provided an overview of Wells Fargo’s efforts in restoring communities with a strong focus of thinking locally and engaging locally.

Gross provided an overview of the recent decision regarding Chicago’s vacant property registration ordinance. Currently there is no information whether the city will appeal or if the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) will challenge similar ordinances in other areas.

In vacant property registration ordinances and other local regulations, Halpern advocated for greater uniformity. While acknowledging there will always be local variances that are required (based off geography, climate, etc.) increased uniformity will increase compliance.

Gross also discussed the Illinois legislation for fast tracking the foreclosure process for vacant and abandoned properties, along with similar legislation in other states. Feedback has been that it has not been utilized as much as it could.

Other topics discussed include:

  • The need for continuing education of industry best practices to ensure viable solutions are created.
  • The need for holistic approach to neighborhood development – the Slavic Village model was provided as an example.
  • The need for comprehensive demolition in many communities and the associated costs.
  • The population loss and resulting decrease in tax revenue along with conclusion of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
  • The growth in popularity of land banks as a viable solution.

Safeguard Properties would like to extend its gratitude to NHC for our inclusion in this year’s event. The company is proud to be a member of the Leadership Circle at NHC and to support their efforts in restoring neighborhoods and enhancing housing policy in all areas.

About Safeguard 
Safeguard Properties is the largest mortgage field services company in the U.S. Founded in 1990 by Robert Klein and based in Valley View, Ohio, the company inspects and maintains defaulted and foreclosed properties for mortgage servicers, lenders,  and other financial institutions. Safeguard employs approximately 1,700 people, in addition to a network of thousands of contractors nationally. Website: www.safeguardproperties.com.

The National Housing Conference (NHC) Solutions 2013, took place on September 17, in Atlanta, GA.

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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