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Safeguard Focuses on Innovative Technology for Industry-Leading Field Services

Safeguard in the News
February 3, 2020

Source: HousingWire

Additional Resource:

HousingWire (Safeguard Properties Focuses on Innovative Technologies to Provide Industry-Leading Mortgage Field Services PDF)

Expertise in fulfilling difficult FHA property preservation and conveyance requirements

Safeguard has been a leader in the mortgage field services industry for almost 30 years, building its reputation by serving as true partners to not only its financial clients, but to the local communities they work in as well.

Today, Safeguard leverages its many technological innovations and long history of customer service to provide a full suite of property services on vacant, defaulted and foreclosed properties, whether they are residential, single- and multifamily rental or commercial properties.

The company is dedicated to building and sharing industry best practices to protect the integrity and value of the nation’s housing stock, working on behalf of its clients to comply with all investor and regulatory requirements.

As a result, many of the country’s largest financial institutions rely on Safeguard for property inspections, property preservation, REO maintenance, yard maintenance and snow removal, FHA conveyance management, property registration, estimate and repairs, and code enforcement.

Safeguard’s expertise is especially helpful in fulfilling difficult FHA property preservation and conveyance requirements. The company has developed new ways to improve the FHA post-sale process, adding controls and increased visibility to give clients full case management around any property issues, as well as access to real-time reporting.

One of Safeguard’s hallmarks is using technology to elevate field services to the highest standard.

In recent years, Safeguard has added video and panoramic photo capabilities to its mobile platforms. It also has enhanced its workflow through the new SafeView Field Services platform, including continuous improvements to its client integrated system to allow for full property management.

In addition, Safeguard has examined its business practices and identified key areas of default management that can benefit from re-evaluation, conducting comprehensive reviews of its vendor management workflow and business procedures.

In the process, Safeguard has made strides in perfecting the bidding process, examined ways to avoid FHA reconveyances, implemented new technology to streamline operations and updated its disaster protocols.

Mortgage servicers face multiple challenges trying to stay up to date with frequent changes to industry, investor and insurer guidelines, as well as the critical changes to assure compliance and reduce potential out-of-pocket costs.

Recognizing these challenges, Safeguard started facilitating the yearly Property Preservation Conference 15 years ago to provide relevant, timely and strategic information to clients, vendors and the industry as a whole.

Safeguard is positioned to provide its suite of services – as well as high quality, consistent results – to portfolios of any size in all parts of the U.S., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.

Alan Jaffa, Chief Executive Officer 

Alan Jaffa joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to COO in 2002 and CEO in 2010. 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. In 2013, Jaffa was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalist.

Michael Greenbaum, Chief Operating Officer

Michael Greenbaum joined Safeguard in July 2010 as vice president of REO and has continued to take on additional duties and responsibilities, including the role of vice president of operations in 2013 and COO in 2015. Greenbaum is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he majored in quantitative economics.

Joe Iafigliola, Chief Financial Officer

Joe Iafigliola is responsible for oversight of the Control, Quality Assurance, Accounting and Information Security departments. Iafigliola is also a managing director and operating partner with SCG Partners. He 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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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