VFSAC Golf Classic Supports Military Veterans’ American Dream

Safeguard in the News
April 24, 2019

Source: MReport

The Veterans Financial Services Advisory Council (VFSAC), an organization that helps veterans and their families in search of support related to housing and critical services, is holding its First Annual VFSAC Golf Classic this May.

The tournament, which will be held at Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, Texas, on May 14, will bring together industry leaders as they hit the greens to support our nation’s military families. All the proceeds from this tournament will be donated to Operation Homefront, a national 501(c)(3) that partners with VFSAC to address the ongoing housing needs of veterans and their families.

Former Wells Fago executive and VFSAC council member JK Huey told DS News, “I’ve participated in many golf tournaments over the past 30 years, and while many of them were for very good causes, this is one that I’m most proud of and excited about.”

Founded by Five Star Global President and CEO Ed Delgado in 2016, VFSAC’s Executive Council includes leaders from Auction.comAlacrity ServicesAspen Grove SolutionsFive Brothers Asset ManagementThe Five Star InstituteHome Depot, Operation Homefront, Rushmore Loan Management ServicesSafeguard Properties, and ServiceMac. The organization’s current Chair is Terry Smith, CEO for Rushmore Loan Management Services LLC.

The organization’s ongoing initiatives include the “Homes on the Homefront” program that provides mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families looking to reintegrate into the civilian community. Through this plan, VFSAC receives industry donations of distressed residential assets in an “as-is” condition. Through a collaborative effort, it conducts repairs and necessary rehab to restore these homes into a move-in-ready condition for veterans. The program also accepts rehabbed homes from investors, asset management companies, and mortgage companies. Once these homes are move-in ready, they become available as mortgage-free homes to qualified veteran families.

Sponsors for the 2019 VFSAC Golf Classic include ALAW; Aspen Grove Solutions; Auction.com; Carrington; Five Brothers Asset Management; Ginali Associates; Goldman Sachs; Google; LoanCare; National Field Representatives, Inc.; Novare National Settlement Service (A Division of Fidelity National Title); Prominent Escrow Services, Inc. and FIN Title; RSMA Law; Rushmore Cares; Safeguard; ServiceLink; Xome; and York-Jersey Underwriters.

To register for the tournament, click here. You can learn more about sponsorship opportunities here.

Editor’s note: Although VFSAC was founded by Five Star Global President and CEO Ed Delgado, it is an independent working group and is not affiliated with Five Star Global, Five Star Institute, or any of its companies.

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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