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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 40 2 0 2 4 F I V E S T A R C O N F E R E N C E & E X P O PROPERTY PRESERVATION FORUM DISASTER READINESS, RESPONSE TAKES CENTER STAGE AT PROPERTY PRESERVATION FORUM By E R I C C . P E C K D ay one of the 2024 Five Star Conference kicked off Tues- day at the Omni Hotel in Dal- las, and featured an afternoon of education, highlighted by the Property Preservation Forum, presented by Forum Partners Brookstone Management and ZVN Properties Inc. Property preservation remains a critical tool in helping prevent blight and ensuring that properties are returned to the market for future home buyers. Tuesday afternoon's Property Preserva- tion Forum featured execs from top field services companies and their servicer clients sharing their expertise on current trends and challenges within property preservation space. The Forum got underway with Wel- come Remarks from Tony Maher, EVP of Business Development with Cyprexx Services (see image #2 to the right). Maher has more than 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry, working at a large mortgage servicer, Fannie Mae, and now with Cyprexx for more than 14 years. His experience spans across the entire mort- gage industry, including loan origination, secondary marketing and most of the facets of the mortgage default process. As EVP of Business Development, he is re- sponsible for growth at Cyprexx through sales and marketing and manages client relationships for the company. Maher introduced the first of several panels scheduled throughout the day, "From Deficiencies to Efficiencies." This panel explored ideas about modernizing the practices and processes involved in inspections, hazard claims and disaster response, and rural and urban neces- sities (see image #7). Taking part in the discussion were Candace Russell, VP of Post-Sale Activities, Default Servicing at Carrington Mortgage Services LLC; Yvette Gilmore, SVP, Servicing Product Strategy with ServiceLink; Michael Greenbaum, COO of Safeguard Proper- ties; Tyler Herndon, Co-Owner/President of R-Eyes Asset Management.com; Keith O'Donnell, National Account Director with iVueit; and Jason Williams, Director with Fannie Mae. The impact of natural disasters on the housing market cannot be overstated, but it can be mitigated. "A Scout's Guide to Disaster Readiness" panel discussed all the current risks and challenges that investors face from the expanding threat of natural disasters. From increases in defaults, to decreases in property values, these economic impacts are all factors that come into play. Panelists (see image #3) included Matt Pratt, Assistant VP with US Bank; Kerrie Crace, Director of Operational Initiatives with Brookstone Management; Johanna Granados, Account Executive with Ver- isk; Jason Myers, VP Business Develop- ment with MCS (see image #4); and Mitch Patel, Director with First Allegiance. Panelists covered how to over- come these challenges with powerful solutions—communication, damage discovery, disaster prep, and technology … leaving all attendees with a better un- derstanding of proper disaster readiness. Panel three of the Property Preserva- tion Forum, "Building Blocks: Property Preservation's Role in Community Resur- gence," centered on the impact of vacant and distressed properties on their local communities (see image #5). Panelists for "Building Blocks" included Micole Booker, VP, Mortgage Default Operations for VRM Mortgage Services; Melissa Bussey, Executive Principal with Xome; Talia Ramirez, SVP with Spectrum Solutions Acquisitions LLC; LaQuanda Sain, EVP of Servicing with Rocket Mortgage; Elizabeth Squires, AVP Client Account Management with Safeguard Properties; and Toby White, FVP, Director, Investor Claims with Flagstar Bank. The panel explained how lower property values, increased crime