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Safeguard Properties Innovates New Technology Solutions

Safeguard in the News
February 1, 2016

Anticipating future challenges to mitigate risk

The COMPANY

As the largest field services company in the country, Safeguard continues to develop industry-leading technologies that improve the accuracy of property updates and provide best practices for the entire industry.

Safeguard delivers a full spectrum of inspection, maintenance, preservation, property registration, repairs and rehab services on vacant, defaulted and foreclosed properties.safeguard

“What distinguishes Safeguard is our commitment to delivering excellent customer service and performing at the highest levels of quality, timeliness and cost-effectiveness,” said Robert Klein, founder and chairman.

Mortgage field servicers continue to adapt to meet the changing housing climate where the number of distressed properties is declining and the time to foreclose is rising.

Safeguard has been testing the use of video in the field as one of the most promising new technologies for field services companies. Video gives the boots-on-the-ground inspectors and contractors the ability to report damages and receive bid approvals in real time, and provides more detailed evidence of any issues at a property.

“If a picture is worth a thousand words, the possibilities of video in this industry are endless,” said CEO Alan Jaffa.

Regulatory challenges are putting service providers under increased scrutiny and Safeguard stays on top of this by anticipating client needs, employing best practices to minimize risk, and creating comprehensive frameworks to ensure transparent communication from all organizational levels.

“From new technology and the expansion of in-house internal audit and compliance teams, we have been working to proactively and aggressively manage risk, and to ensure the frameworks are in place to maintain regulatory compliance and fully protect the consumer,” Jaffa said.

Now in its 25th year, Safeguard believes its biggest opportunities will come from technology.

By looking at industry problems or situations from a fresh perspective and investing heavily in new technology, Safeguard has been able to optimize mobile location, business intelligence and tracking. This technology means they can identify location accuracy, quality check the data, ensure the right people are at the right property at the right time doing the right work and support compliance requirements.

“By critically looking at the issues currently facing the industry, Safeguard has been able to provide solutions to minimize risks to clients and to properties,” Jaffa said. “Safeguard’s forward-thinking approach allows the company to anticipate industry challenges and changes and develop best practices to meet them head on.”

The EXECUTIVES

Robert Klein, Founder and Chairman

RobertRobert 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 assumed the role of chairman in May of 2010.

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 Washington, D.C. In 2009, Klein received the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He won both in the northeast Ohio region in the category of professional services and asset management firms, and nationally in the servicing category.

Alan Jaffa, CEO

Alan JaffaAlan Jaffa assumed the role of CEO in May 2010. Previously he served as COO. 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. Since joining Safeguard in 1995, Jaffa has worked in nearly every department. Under his leadership, Safeguard has doubled in size and, in 2010 and 2011, was recognized as the fastest-growing large company in Northeast Ohio.

Gregory Robinson, CPA, CFO and EVP

GregGregory Robinson directs all financial management activities and also oversees human resources, quality assurance, internal audit and support services at Safeguard. Under his HR leadership, Safeguard has implemented strategies to support a 400% increase in Safeguard’s work force since 2006. Robinson also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners. Prior to joining Safeguard, Robinson led successful consulting practices at CGI Inc., NetGov Inc. and ORION Consulting. He is a CPA in the state of Ohio. In 2010, Robinson 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