Safeguard Properties

Archives For: abandoned property

Florida Abandoned Property Act Would Require Securing Wait Period

Florida House Bill 1393 died in the Insurance & Banking Subcommittee. 

30 Apr 2021

Proposed New York Bill Aims to Ban Plywood Property Boarding

NY A6519 was introduced in the The New York State Senate. The bill would prohibit the use of plywood, wood composite, wood veneer or similar wood-based products to secure any real property that is deemed vacant and abandoned.

19 Mar 2021

Legislation Proposes National Land Bank Network Creation

On June 4, 2020, H.R. 7103 (To direct the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation with respect to the establishment of a national land bank network, and for other purposes) was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

16 Jun 2020

Erie County Introduces “ZOMBIE Watch”

WBEN published a report outlining the introduction of Erie County, N.Y.’s “ZOMBIE Watch”, a new program created through the county clerk’s ZOMBIES Initiative.

22 Feb 2020

NY Governor Signs “Zombie Property Remediation Act”

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed SB 5079A (Zombie Property Remediation Act). The legislation aims to permit municipalities to compel a mortgagee to either complete a mortgage foreclosure proceeding or to issue a certificate of discharge of the mortgage for any property which has been certified abandoned pursuant to article 13 of the real property actions and proceedings law.

18 Dec 2019

Group Looks to Reduce Number of Abandoned ‘Zombie’ Homes

The Spokane Journal of Business published an article highlighting the efforts of a coalition of local professionals determined to reduce the number of Spokane, Wash., zombie properties. Other options currently being explored by the city (foreclosure registry, land bank) also are discussed.

21 Nov 2019

Absecon Considers Fixing Blighted Properties Making Owners Pay

Shore News Today published an article discussing a proposal to create an ordinance in Absecon, New Jersey, that would allow the city to place liens on abandoned properties once it has brought them up to code. If approved, the ordinance would differ from similar ones in existence across the country by allowing for significant work to be completed on properties that have fallen into disrepair.

9 Apr 2018

Washington Bills Take Aim at Abandoned Properties

HB 2057 (An act relating to the services and processes available when residential real property is abandoned or in foreclosure) was signed by Governor Jay Inslee on March 28, 2018.

28 Mar 2018

What Will Happen to All the Abandoned Homes in Puerto Rico

Marketplace released an article discussing the forecasted rise in abandoned properties across Puerto Rico due to the impact of Hurricane Maria.

25 Jan 2018

Zombie Homes: The Problem That Just Won?t Die

DS News published an article exploring how abandoned properties are being dealt with in Portland, Ore. The article features comments by Safeguard Properties Founder and Chairman Robert Klein.

8 Jan 2018

1 2

Cookies enable us to provide the best experience possible and help us understand how visitors use our website. By browsing our website, you agree to our use of cookies.

x

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.

x

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.

x

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.

x

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.

x

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties