Safeguard Properties Expands Operations, Brings Jobs to Richardson, TX

Safeguard Properties Expands Operations And Brings More Than 200 Jobs to Richardson, Texas

Richardson, Texas, April 4, 2013 – Safeguard Properties, the nation’s largest field service company serving the mortgage industry, announced the opening of its new operation in Richardson, Texas, bringing more than 200 jobs to the community. Safeguard is the first tenant to occupy the newly renovated Greenway II complex at 2400 Lakeside Boulevard, leasing the 22,000 square-foot third floor of the facility.

Safeguard, headquartered in Valley View, Ohio, has three additional locations in Ohio and Kentucky. The expansion to Richardson provides a strategic presence for Safeguard in the Dallas area, which is a major hub for the mortgage servicing industry. 

Alan Jaffa, Safeguard chief executive officer said the company conducted an extensive search for office space and selected the Richardson location because of its proximity to many of Safeguard’s major clients and the availability of additional space to accommodate future growth and expansion.   

“We are proud to be the first tenant in this excellent facility,” said Alan Jaffa. “It provides a high-quality work environment and great amenities for our employees, and a local base of operations to better serve our clients located in the Dallas area. We look forward to contributing to the growth and vitality of the community,” Jaffa added. 

“We are pleased to welcome Safeguard Properties to Richardson,” said John Jacobs, executive vice president of the Richardson Economic Development Partnership. “We know they will enjoy being a part of our vibrant economy with its outstanding live, work and play environment. Safeguard’s selection of Greenway II in Richardson underscores the value of the reinvestments being made in our commercial office space by proactive property owners.”

Functions performed at the new facility include client account relations, operations, loss management, field quality control and code compliance.  The new facility became fully operational this week.

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