Safeguard Properties

Archives For: vacant property

Abandoned Property Bill Proposed in Missouri

MO SB 780 was pre-filed in the Missouri Legislature on December 7. The legislation would allow certain people to enter a property to secure it, remove trash and graffiti, and maintain the grounds.

7 Dec 2017

Governor Larry Hogan Announces Statewide Violent Crime Initiatives

The office of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued a press release announcing a series of initiatives poised to combat criminal gang enterprises and repeat offenders responsible for violent crime throughout the state. Included is a directive to identify and expedite the demolition of vacant properties located in the highest-crime areas of Baltimore.

5 Dec 2017

Battling Blight: Four Ways Cities Are Using Data to Address Vacant Properties

Data-Smart City Solutions published an article discussing ways several American cities are utilizing digital and data-driven strategies to address vacant and abandoned properties.

21 Aug 2017

NMSA Sets Sights on Solving Vacant and Abandoned Property Issues

DS News published an article discussing the appointment of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Asset Management Senior Vice President of Property Preservation Jim Taylor to the National Mortgage Servicing Association (NMSA).

14 Jun 2017

Cleveland Mapping Charts Impact of Blight

Next City published an article highlighting a recent report from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), titled Exploring the relationship Between Vacant and Distressed Properties and Community Health and Safety.

7 Jun 2017

Oklahoma Bill Allows Abandoned Property Registration

OK HB 1381 was signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin on April 24, 2017. The bill provides an exception to the prohibition that prevents municipalities from registering real property.

24 Apr 2017

VALERI Servicer Newsflash

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued an announcement containing a VALERI Fee Cost Schedule update. The update reflects a new Ohio state law that bans the use of plywood for securing vacant and abandoned properties in expedited foreclosures.

17 Apr 2017

The Cost of Fighting Community Blight

DS News released an article outlining a white paper commissioned by Community Blight Solutions that explores the impact vacant and abandoned properties have on their communities.

16 Jan 2017

The Shift in Pre-Foreclosure Property Management

DS News published an article discussing a recent action by Fannie Mae allowing all vacant Fannie Mae-owned properties to use an alternative to plywood for securization. The article features comments from Safeguard Properties Founder and Chairman Robert Klein and CEO Alan Jaffa.

30 Nov 2016

Fighting Fire in Louisville, the Hackathon Way

CNET released a report discussing a Louisville, KY pilot program that aims to fight and prevent vacant property fires.

26 Oct 2016

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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