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Safeguard Employs Strategic Systems to Capture Property Conditions in Real Time

Safeguard in the News
February 1, 2017

Introduces major advances in its mobile platform

THE COMPANY

Safeguard Properties is the mortgage field services industry leader, inspecting and preserving vacant and foreclosed properties across the U.S. Founded in 1990 by Robert Klein and headquartered in Ohio, Safeguard leverages technology to develop industry best practices and quality control procedures.

“Technology plays a strategic role at Safeguard and within the field services industry,” said Alan Jaffa, Safeguard CEO. “We have invested in providing state-of-the-art systems and programs to ensure we continuously remain technologically advanced.”

The company’s technologies improve quality of work using geo-location services; big data analytics and workflow distribution; state-of-the-art data centers that ensure stability and redundancy; and mobile capabilities that provide real-time results.

Recently, Safeguard introduced major advances in its mobile platform. The company’s goal is to create a real-time two-way conversation with its contractors utilizing the latest advances in video, GPS, and smart scripting – which is no longer a back-office function for its contractors. They are now able to capture the property condition in real-time on-site and communicate it back to Safeguard within minutes.

Next in the evolution of technology for the industry, Safeguard plans to work with mortgage servicers and investors to extend this automation into their back-office workflow so they can have better visibility and make important time-sensitive decisions.

Through extensive beta testing, Safeguard has concluded that video will be the future for documenting property condition and “telling the story of a property.” However, it is important that the video app — and the corresponding business process to review the results — are carefully designed for simplicity and speed.

“The result for our clients is going to be a game-changer in terms of quality and our ability to communicate property condition,” said Jaffa. “By critically looking at current issues and those on the horizon, Safeguard provides solutions to minimize risks to clients and properties.”

THE EXECUTIVES

Robert Klein, Founder and Chairman

Robert Klein is the founder and chairman of the board for Safeguard. Under Klein’s leadership, Safeguard grew from a handful of employees in 1990 into the largest field services company in the industry, with an extensive network of contractors throughout the United States.

Klein serves as chair of the National Vacant Properties Registration Committee of the MBA and he represents not only Safeguard, but the industry as a whole in national associations including MBA, USFN, CMBA and REOMAC. He also is the founder of the National Property Preservation Conference. In 2009, Klein received the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Alan Jaffa, CEO

Alan Jaffa is the CEO for Safeguard, a role he assumed in May 2010. Previously he served as chief operating officer.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 complementary markets. Under his leadership, Safeguard has doubled in size and, in 2010 and 2011, it was recognized as the fastest-growing large company in Northeast Ohio.

Gregory Robinson, CPA, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President

Gregory Robinson directs all accounting and financial management activities at Safeguard, including financial reporting, planning, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, lender relationships, internal control processes and oversight and analysis of financial results. He also oversees quality assurance, information security, internal audit, corporate communications and support services, and serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners. Previously, Robinson led successful consulting practices at CGI Inc., NetGov Inc. and ORION Consulting. In 2010, he was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business as CFO of the Year in the category of large private companies.

Source: HousingWire

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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