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Safeguard Launches Proprietary System to Assess and Minimize Weather Impact on Mortgage Portfolios

Safeguard Properties Launches Proprietary SystemTo Assess and Minimize Severe Weather Impact on Mortgage Portfolios

— First of its kind technology combines weather alerts, geospatial mapping and property condition data to improve decision-making

Valley View, Ohio,  December 12, 2013 – Safeguard Properties today announced the launch of its proprietary MapAlert™ system that integrates weather data with property condition and inspection data, enabling mortgage clients to quickly assess the potential for damages to properties in their portfolios and take appropriate actions to protect properties in targeted zones, mitigate damages and initiate outreach to troubled borrowers. 

MapAlert provides both pre-disaster and post-disaster information to support client decision-making.  It utilizes multiple national weather data sources and overlays them with advanced geospatial mapping technologies that identify the locations of client properties to provide a visual representation of affected areas.  It also incorporates property condition updates from Safeguard’s internal system to allow mortgage servicers to analyze their portfolios and make targeted asset preservation decisions at a national, regional, neighborhood or property-specific level. 

“This is the first property management technology that combines external weather data with property inspection condition results so that clients can be as general or as specific as they choose to evaluate and make decisions about their nationwide property portfolios,” said George Mehok, Safeguard’s chief information officer.  “It is capable of tracking millions of properties and analyzing hundreds of variables for any potential weather event, so clients can monitor many different ‘what if’ scenarios in preparation for the unpredictable.” 

Utilizing Safeguard’s client reporting system, mortgage servicers also can receive automated notification of weather events in specific geographical areas to immediately identify properties that may be affected or have been impacted by hurricanes, tornadoes, wild fires and other disasters. 

The system also benefits municipalities when severe weather strikes, because proactive measures by servicers reduce property damage and allow community resources to be deployed more effectively to other areas of need.  

“Through our All Client Alert System, Safeguard established itself as a critical industry and municipal resource when disasters strike,” said Michael Halpern, Safeguard’s director of community initiatives.”  With MapAlert, we offer an entirely new level of value.  With immediate and detailed information about specific properties, servicers can take decisive action to reduce damages and deploy resources to assist affected borrowers.” 

Weather data sources for MapAlert include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Geological Survey, the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination Group (GeoMAC). 

Additional features of Map Alert include the ability to create user-specific accounts to track events; advanced filtering, analysis and reporting capabilities, both pre-and post-event; real-time post-disaster satellite imagery; and access from mobile devices.

The release was published by MortgageOrb.  Please follow the link for the full article:
http://www.mortgageorb.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.14745

 

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

Media contact: Diane Roman Fusco, director of public relations, 800-852-8306, ext. 1213 diane.fusco@s.safeguardproperties.com.

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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