Archives For: Community Alert

After Long Hiatus, Philadelphia Land Bank Will Begin Bidding on Vacant Properties

The Philadelphia Land Bank has reclaimed its priority bid status, enabling the public agency to acquire tax-delinquent properties for the first time in 5 years.

22 Mar 2025

Oswego County Land Bank Awarded $2M State Grant

The Oswego County Land Bank has secured a $2M state grant to rehabilitate more than a dozen vacant properties and return them to private ownership.

21 Mar 2025

Broome County Land Bank Announces the Launch of the New Vacant Rental Program

Broome County Land Bank announced its new Vacant Rental Program aimed at rehabilitating vacant and unoccupied rental units in the county.

4 Mar 2025

With Properties in New Land Bank, Grand Rapids Eyes Affordable Housing Options

The newly formed Grand Rapids Land Bank is focusing on affordable housing as it looks for way to utilize vacant properties within the city.

28 Feb 2025

Land Bank Partnership Would Support Monmouth Single-Family Housing Development

The city of Monmouth is exploring a partnership with Prairie Hills Land Bank to support a single-family housing development.

27 Feb 2025

New Homes in Hazelwood Part of Partnership with City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Land Bank

Pittsburgh city officials are working on revitalizing neighborhoods and making homes more affordable by collaborating with the Pittsburgh Land Bank.

27 Feb 2025

JPMorganChase Announces $3.75M in Donations to Support Increasing Housing Supply & Affordability in Atlanta

JPMorganChase announced it will donate $3.75M to support groups working on increasing housing supply and improving affordability in Atlanta.

13 Feb 2025

New Housing Report Outlines Future of Abandoned VT Properties

The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development is conducting a study on the feasibility of creating a Land Bank.

4 Feb 2025

St. Louis Eyes Land Bank for Vacant Homes

The St. Louis County Council will consider whether to create a land bank to address the ongoing issue of derelict properties in the county.

30 Jan 2025

Over $1.3 Million Awarded to Build and Rehab Homes, Tear Down Others in Allegany County

The Allegany County Land Bank was awarded a $1.3M grant to enhance the local housing stock, eliminate blight, and create affordable housing.

24 Jan 2025

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties