Archives For: NY

Here?s One Way to Fight Zombie Properties

The New York Law Journal published an article authored by Bruce J. Berkman, a partner with Berkman, Henoch, Peterson & Fenchel. In it, Berkman discusses a recently passed law in Hempstead Town, NY (Ordinance No. 46-2016) that requires servicers to provide a financial security deposit to maintain vacant and abandoned properties that are in the process of foreclosure.

29 Jun 2016

Sullivan County Applying to Form a Land Bank

The Times Herald-Record published an article discussing the decision of Sullivan County, NY to apply for the creation of a land bank.

20 Jun 2016

County Identifies Responsible Parties to ?Zombie? Properties

The Ken-Ton Bee published an article discussing the efforts of New York State Assemblyman Michael Kearns to collect public complaints pertaining to vacant, blighted homes in order to raise awareness of their existence and inspire action from the state.

8 Jun 2016

Oswego County Receives Approval to Proceed with Establishment of Land Bank

Oswego County Weeklies (OCW) posted an article discussing the approval of an application by Oswego County, NY to create a land bank.

2 Feb 2016

Kearns: Donate Zombie Homes to Local Charities

WKBW ABC 7 (Buffalo) published an article discussing an editorial submitted by New York Assemblyman Michael Kearns and representatives from the Western New York Law Center and Habitat for Humanity.

27 Jan 2016

Forces Join to Protect Borrowers from Foreclosure Relief Scams

DS News published an article discussing a joint initiative between the Office of New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and several media outlets to crack down on unlawful advertising of foreclosure rescue scams.

12 Dec 2015

Rep. Israel Announced Bill to Turn ?Zombie? Homes into Housing for Homeless Veterans

The office of U.S. Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) issued a press release discussing the introduction of the Housing Our Heroes Act (H.R. 3970).

23 Nov 2015

Huntington Adds New Fee For Vacant Home Inspections

Newsday published an article discussing the enactment of a vacant property inspection ordinance in Huntington, NY.

1 Oct 2015

?Foreclosure Predicament Persists? in New York

DS News published an article discussing a report released by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli which explores the impact of statewide foreclosure activity.

17 Aug 2015

Land Bank Measure Moves Back to Kingston Common Council for Consideration

On June 21, the Daily Freeman published an article discussing a Kingston, NY land bank creation proposal that was previously referred back to the Laws and Rules Committee for further consideration.

9 Jul 2015

< 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >

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