Safeguard Properties

Archives For: vacant property

St. Louis Prepares to Launch ‘Dollar House’ Program

St. Louis Public Radio (NPR) published an article discussing a St. Louis, Mo., pilot program aiming to reduce the number of vacant, city-owned properties.

28 Jan 2019

‘Zombies 2.0’: Attorney General James announces $9 Million in Grants for Communities Dealing with Vacant & Abandoned Properties

The office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a press release announcing the expansion of a grant initiative to address the growing statewide issue of vacant and abandoned homes that are not maintained during a prolonged foreclosure proceeding.

28 Jan 2019

The Hidden Costs of Vacant Properties

Hot Air published an article discussing the negative impacts of vacant properties in cities like St. Louis, Mo.

21 Dec 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

Zombie Property Act Introduced in New York

AB 1563 (Zombie Property Remediation Act of 2017) recently advanced in the New York Assembly and has been referred to the Assembly Codes Committee.

20 Jun 2018

The Empty House Next Door

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Center for Community Progress published a report that lays the groundwork for exploring the issue of vacancy by defining what is meant by a “vacant” property, what constitutes a “healthy” vacancy rate, how vacant properties are measured, and why properties become vacant and abandoned.

15 May 2018

Lawsuit Against City Officials Allege Vacant Property Registry Violates Fourth Amendment

MLive.com published an article outlining a recently filed federal class-action lawsuit against two Saginaw, Mich., city officials, alleging that language included on the city’s vacant property registration application violates amendment rights of property owners.

19 Mar 2018

Oyster Bay Bans Use of Plywood to Cover ?Zombie? Houses

Newsday published an article discussing a new ordinance adopted by the Town of Oyster Bay, New York, that bans the use of plywood for boarding up foreclosed homes and mandates the use of clear, impact resistant polycarbonate. Additionally, the legislation requires a $25,000 bond on residential vacant properties that have had a “foreclosure action” commenced, without a requirement to register the property with the municipality.

18 Feb 2018

Property Maintenance Legislation Re-Introduced in New Jersey

NJ S1423, a bill that aims to require creditors to maintain the interior of foreclosed vacant and abandoned residential property has been re-introduced by Senator Jeff Van Drew (D).

1 Feb 2018

Property Maintenance Bill Proposed in New York

On January 3, 2018, SB 7167 was introduced in the New York State Senate and referred to the Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee.

3 Jan 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.

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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