Archives For: December

Pinpointing Property Preservation Hot Topics

The latest Five Star Institute Property Preservation Executive Forum newsletter featured a special Q&A with Safeguard Properties CEO Alan Jaffa. In it, Jaffa highlights this year’s Property Preservation Conference (NPPC) and touches on expected trends for the mortgage field services industry in 2021.

28 Dec 2020

FHA INFO #20-95: FHA Extends the Expiration Dates for Multiple COVID-19 Related Policies

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced extensions to several temporary provisions previously
instituted through Mortgagee Letters and policy waivers to help mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on borrowers with FHA-insured mortgages and mortgagees.

21 Dec 2020

Winter Storm Gail to Slam Northeast with Heavy Snow

The Weather Channel published a report outlining winter storm activity that produced record snowfall in the Northeast U.S.

17 Dec 2020

Foreclosures May Be Subject to ‘Drastic Changes’ Next Year

The latest episode of DS5’s Inside the Industry featured Safeguard Properties Director of Client Account Management Elizabeth Squires, who discussed the impact of COVID-19 on property preservation and foreclosure volumes.

11 Dec 2020

OCC: New Executive Committee Members Announced

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced the appointment of two executives to the agency’s Executive Committee.

7 Dec 2020

Nor’easter Pummels New England with Heavy Snow, Strong Winds

The Weather Channel published a report providing the latest on a powerful winter storm that swept through the Northeast U.S.

7 Dec 2020

Mudslide Destroys Homes, Damages Infrastructure in Southeast Alaska

USA Today published a report detailing severe weather activity in portions of Alaska that has caused destructive mudslides.

2 Dec 2020

Winter Storm Bringing Wind-Driven Snow to Eastern Great Lakes, Appalachians

The Weather Channel issued a report outlining winter storm activity that has spread heavy snow/rain across multiple U.S. states.

30 Nov 2020

VA: Circular 26-18-30: Revisions to VA-Guaranteed Cash-Out Refinancing Home Loans (RIN 2900-AQ42)

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a revised version of Circular 26-18-30. The circular clarifies loan seasoning requirements for TYPE II cash-out refinancing loans.

21 Dec 2018

FHFA: Statement of Melvin L. Watt

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued the statement of Director Melvin L. Watt on the designation of Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting as acting FHFA director.

21 Dec 2018

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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