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FROM OUR DESK Seizing the Silver Lining One might be surprised to learn just how often it is that turmoil and disorder breed clarity and composure. It's during the most horrific of incidences that you see otherwise complete strangers, adversaries even, look beyond their differences to stand firm side-by-side against an opposing force, whether it's a terrorist attack on American soil, Mother Nature's indiscriminating fury, or the near collapse of our nation's economic backbone—the housing industry. This is where our cover story takes us this month. "Out of Chaos Comes Solutions" by veteran industry writer Sandra Lane uncovers the silver lining in the turmoil caused by the foreclosure crisis. Peering into the depths of the downturn has induced lenders, servicers, counselors, agents, government agencies, pretty much every professional touched in some way by the devastating effects of foreclosure, to come together, putting profit margins and trade secrets aside, to find ways to help families at risk of losing their homes or struggling to get back their financial footing and regain the American Dream. We encourage you to delve deep into the article on pages 48-51 and learn about some of the innovative solutions today's thought-leaders are working on. We'd also like to introduce you to a special colleague who's joined the ranks of our parent company, the Five Star Institute, as chief of staff. Corry Schiermeyer landed with us after nearly a decade working within the walls of our nation's governing body, both the White House and Capitol Hill. With a strong background advising policymakers on financial services, the economy, and foreign affairs, she takes a closer look at the new QM and QRM rules and what these "qualifiers" mean within the stark reality of the mortgage marketplace. You'll find Corry's commentary on page 59 and look for future renditions of Inside the Beltway in upcoming issues. default servicing | in print and online vol. 11 no. 11 for me rly PUBLISHER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DESIGN DSNEWS.COM VIDEO EDITOR STAFF WRITER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS COPY EDITORS EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD ADVERTISING DS NEWS BLACK BOOK AND LEGAL LEAGUE 100 SOCIAL MEDIA CIRCULATION magazine Mark Hulme Carrie Bay Jonathon Won Jordan Funderburk Tory Barringer Alan Jaffa, Darren Kruk, Sandra Lane, Peter Muoio, Ph.D., Corry Schiermeyer Alison Rich, Emily White Youree Jerry Alt, LOGS Network Amy Crews Cutts, PhD, Equifax Vic Draper, ProVest Steven Horne, Wingspan Portfolio Advisors Jeffrey Jaffee, CitiMortgage Rick Sharga, Auction.com Jason Myers: 214.525.6760 Thomas Griffin: 214.525.6754 Robyn Clayton: 214.525.6716 David Hoierman: 214.525.6728 Lindsay Wolf: 214.525.6739 Amy Bouaazzi: 214.525.6740 Kelli Snowgren: 214.525.6786 Blake Stepan Rebecca McDowell Your DS News Editorial Team CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER CONTRIBUTORS Get to know the experts and insiders behind this issue Alan Jaffa is CEO of Safeguard Properties, a role he assumed in May of 2010. Previously he served as the company's COO. He leads Safeguard's initiatives to develop information technology tools to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery to clients. Under his leadership, Safeguard has doubled in size with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiencies to clients, and strategic acquisition. Darren Kruk is Safeguard Properties' information security officer and IT operations manager. He's also served as the company's senior enterprise architect since joining Safeguard just over seven years ago. He was previously a senior systems administrator for American Greetings Interactive, and prior to that, he worked as a network administrator for Advanstar Communications. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1987. Sandra Lane has extensive experience covering the default servicing industry. She contributes regularly to DS News and from 2004 to 2006, she wrote for DS News' predecessor, REO Magazine. But her understanding of the business extends beyond her freelance work. She is a former real estate broker and grew up in what she calls "a real estate family." A journalism graduate of the University of North Texas, she has written for various newspapers, trade journals, and major corporations. Peter Muoio, Ph.D., is chief economist for Auction.com Research. He is a veteran of the real estate industry and founder of the research and consulting firm Maximus Advisors, which Auction.com acquired in December 2012. Prior to forming Maximus Advisors, he was a managing director and global head of Deutsche Bank Real Estate Research with teams in New York, London, Frankfurt, and Sydney. He is also a regular lecturer at the New York University Real Estate Institute. Corry Schiermeyer is a public affairs professional with more than 20 years' experience, primarily in Washington, D.C., at the White House and on Capitol Hill. For eight years, she served in various senior-level positions in the administration of President George W. Bush. She was director of global communications for the National Security Council and executed strategic and crisis communications as well as outreach plans for the U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture. She is currently chief of staff for the Five Star Institute. 2 Mark Hulme PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Ed Delgado CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER John Harrison EVP OF CLIENT RELATIONS & STRATEGY DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING MARKETING DESIGN Chris McCormick Ernest Gillespie Matt Hulme Sean Walker Jason Stone Jonathon Won Denis Kashoid PRODUCTION Luke Rose TECHNOLOGY Chris Warren CHIEF ECONOMIST Mark Lieberman Follow DSNewsDaily on No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. ©2013 REO Publishing LLC All Rights Reserved This publication is intended to provide accurate, authoritative, and detailed information in regard to the subject matter covered. All written materials are disseminated with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal advice or other professional services. 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