Safeguard Properties

Archives For: VPR

Brainerd to Combat Vacant Buildings

Brainerd City Council is considering a new ordinance that would require owners of vacant buildings to register with the city and pay a fee.

6 Jun 2024

Fitchburg Vacant Property Registration Requirement Now Live

The Fitchburg Vacant Property Registry, designed to help the city tackle the issue of blighted, disused, and abandoned properties is now live.

30 Apr 2024

Pennsylvania Bill Would Require Property Registration, Annual Assessment

PA HB 1791 was introduced in the Pennsylvania State Legislature. The bill would amend the Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Act, further define vacant and vacant blighted properties, and provide for vacant property registration and annual assessments.

16 Aug 2021

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta: Foreclosure Externalities and Vacant Property Registration Ordinances

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta published a white paper that tests the effectiveness of vacant property registration ordinances (VPROs) in reducing negative externalities from foreclosures.

19 Nov 2019

City of Las Vegas Develops New Tool in Fight Against Squatters

The Las Vegas Sun published an article discussing a recent decision by the Las Vegas City Council that expanded the types of properties that can be added to the city’s registry of vacant properties.

6 Jul 2017

Vacant Housing Registry is Illegal Investors Claim in Lawsuit

NJ.com published an article outlining a lawsuit that questions the legality of a vacant property registration program in Gloucester County, NJ.

6 Jul 2017

Morning Spin: Owners Who Leave Chicago Properties Vacant Might Have to Pay More

The Chicago Tribune published an article discussing a proposed escalating vacant property registration fee in the city of Chicago.

25 May 2017

OK HB 2620 Pending in Senate; City Says Registry is First Step Against Blight

On July 8, NewsOK published an article titled Realtors, OKC exchange views on blight.

8 Jul 2014

Cincinnati Requires All Banks to Register Foreclosed Property

On March 12, Cincinnati Business Courier published an article titled Cincinnati City Council Requires All Banks to Register Foreclosed Property.

13 Mar 2014

Robert Klein Looks Back at VPR Ordinances

In its October issue, Servicing Management published an article authored by Robert Klein, founder and chairman of Safeguard Properties, titled Vacant Property Ordinances: A Look Through The Rearview Mirror.

15 Oct 2013

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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