Safeguard Properties

Archives For: Chicago

Tornadoes Cause Damage in Chicago Metro

A number of tornadoes touched down yesterday evening in the Chicago metro area causing property damage, downed trees, and power outages.

12 Jul 2023

Cook County Land Bank Authority Program Celebrates 1000th Renovated Home

Cook County officials celebrated a milestone Wednesday morning on the West Side with the 1,000th renovated home as part of a county-run program.

16 Feb 2022

Chicago Targets ?Zombie Housing? for Renewal, Block by Block

U.S. News & World Report published an article outlining a partnership between the City of Chicago, Ill., nonprofit community groups, financial institutions and others that aims to revitalize housing left behind in the foreclosure crisis.

9 Jul 2018

Ordinance Banning Plywood Introduced in Chicago

Ordinance O2018-5052 (Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 13-12 prohibiting use of plywood or wood-based material for securing vacant buildings) was introduced in the Chicago, Ill., City Council and was assigned to the Committee on Finance.

27 Jun 2018

Morning Spin: Owners Who Leave Chicago Properties Vacant Might Have to Pay More

The Chicago Tribune published an article discussing a proposed escalating vacant property registration fee in the city of Chicago.

25 May 2017

Chicago Vacant Property Registration Ordinance Approved

On December 1, Locke Lord LLP released an article authored by attorneys Simon A. Fleischman, Ryan M. Holz and Simon M. Feng. The article discusses a Chicago, IL vacant property registration ordinance that became effective on October 19, 2016.

1 Dec 2016

City Targeting Vacant Buildings for Demolition to Reduce Crime

CBS Chicago released an article discussing the plan of the Chicago Department of Buildings to demolish hundreds of vacant homes mostly concentrated in four police districts.

23 Feb 2016

“Keep Chicago Renting” Ordinance Undergoes Changes to Close Loopholes

On April 13, the Chicago Tribune published an article titled Aldermen make changes to Chicago foreclosure ordinance.

22 Apr 2015

FHFA Launches Neighborhood Stabilization Pilot Program in Illinois

On April 16, DS News released an article discussing the launch of the Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative, a program designed to stabilize neighborhoods around Chicago and help delinquent borrowers avoid foreclosure.

17 Apr 2015

FHFA Announces New HARP Outreach Efforts

On June 25, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released an update titled FHFA Announces New HARP Outreach Efforts.

26 Jun 2014

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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