Safeguard Properties

Archives For: abandoned properties

Casper Declares War on ‘Dangerous’ Run-Down and Neglected Properties

The city of Casper, WY is cracking down on abandoned properties and dangerous eyesores that are affected neighborhood home values through rehab and demolition.

26 Apr 2024

Lawmaker Says it’s Time for a Land Bank in St. Louis County

A St. Louis lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that will allow the county to create a land bank to better absorb and repurpose abandoned properties in neighborhoods.

17 Oct 2022

Governor Cuomo Signs Sweeping Legislation to Combat the Blight of Vacant and Abandoned Properties

The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS) issued guidance pertaining to the Vacant and Abandoned Property Law (“Zombie Properties Law”).

14 Dec 2017

FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2017-18: Servicing Updates

Freddie Mac issued a release providing updates to its standard servicing policies. Included are increases for certain reimbursable expense limits associated with the preservation of abandoned mortgaged premises, which become effective on October 9, 2017.

13 Sep 2017

Pennsylvania Ponders Fast-Track Foreclosure Bill

On March 1, PA SB 471 was introduced and referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance.

5 Apr 2017

CDN Releases Vacant, Blighted, Abandoned Properties Study

The Community Development Network of Maryland (CDN) issued a press release announcing the availability of a study that aims to help with the challenges of vacant, abandoned and blighted properties throughout the state.

18 Jan 2017

Governor Cuomo Announces Proposed Regulation to Hold Banks and Mortgage Servicers Accountable for Maintaining “Zombie Properties”

The office of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a press release announcing a proposed regulation that mandates banks and mortgage services report vacant and abandoned properties in accordance with new legislation signed by the Governor in June.

28 Sep 2016

Ganging Up on Blight

The Standard-Speaker (Hazelton, PA) published an editorial discussing PA SB 1191, which seeks to create a process for expediting the foreclosure process for vacant and abandoned properties.

8 Sep 2016

Lawrence County to Consider Establishing a Land Bank

The Herald-Dispatch (Huntington, WV) published an article discussing a proposed land bank program taking shape in Lawrence County, OH.

11 May 2016

Medford City Council Will Consider Foreclosure for Abandoned Properties

KAJO 1270-AM posted a report discussing the consideration of Medford, OR to utilize a state law which would allow for the foreclosure of blighted properties that have become a community threat.

5 Apr 2016

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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