Safeguard Properties’ Robert Klein named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 Winner in the Services category
Palm Springs,15 November, 2009 – Robert Klein, the founder and CEO of Safeguard Properties, was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 national winner in the Services category. Now in its 23rd year, the awards recognize leaders and visionaries who demonstrate innovation, financial success and personal commitment as they create and build world-class businesses.
Klein was recognized for growing Safeguard Properties from a small regional preservation company into a national leader, inspecting and maintaining more than one million defaulted and foreclosed properties across the country each month. Klein was honored at the Entrepreneur Of The Year® gala in Palm Springs – the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. Awards were given in nine additional categories. All Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® winners were selected by an independent panel of judges from approximately 400 regional award recipients.
Based in Valley View, Ohio, Safeguard Properties is the largest privately-held mortgage field services company in the US, providing services in all 50 states plus the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The company’s customers include banks, mortgage servicers and investors.
A serial entrepreneur
Robert Klein was just 16 years old when he borrowed $5,000 from his father to start his first business. He secured a medallion – a license to operate a taxi – and became a taxi driver in New York City. It was the start of an unconventional, but highly successful career as an entrepreneur. Five taxis later, medallions were selling for $85,000 and Klein sold his business.
Next, Klein turned his focus from taxis to onions. He purchased his uncle’s wholesale produce business, and began packaging the produce, putting his client’s labels on them. His supermarket clients loved it and Klein was in the packaging business.
From produce to properties
After selling the produce packaging business, Klein started looking for his next opportunity. He learned from his attorneys that a local mortgage field services company was about to shut down. Liking what he saw, he tried to buy the business, but couldn’t come to terms with the owners. Instead of giving up, he waited for the business to close, and then hired the company’s former office manager to teach him the business.
While the industry was new to him, his business philosophy remained unchanged – focusing on the customer and their needs. As the mortgage industry shifted from local banks servicing mortgages to national mortgage service companies, Klein has grown his business, taking it nationwide. He succeeded in that by investing in technology and training to maintain Safeguard Property’s quality service.
The ongoing mortgage crisis has meant a significant increase in property inspections and maintenance orders. Safeguard Property’s annual sales more than doubled from 2006 to 2008. Klein’s business acumen was not learned in a classroom, but in the trenches of experience. His success is built on classic entrepreneurial qualities: confidence and the willingness to take risks
Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 national finalists in Services category
In addition to Klein, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® national finalists in the Services category are: V. Raman Kumar, CEO of CBay Systems of Annapolis, Maryland, a leading supplier of transcription and healthcare BPO services; Simon Hay, CEO of dunnhumby USA, a fast-growing market research firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio; and Kam Ghaffarian, president and CEO of SGT, Inc. in Greenbelt, Maryland, a leading provider of engineering, science, project management and information technology services.
Overall Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 National Winner
Tom Adams, president and CEO of Rosetta Stone Inc. (NYSE: RST), was named the Overall Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 national winner.
Video and Photos
To view video clips of all the Entrepreneur Of The Year® winners, please visit the Ernst & Young YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/ErnstandYoungGlobal. Photos of the winners are also available by request.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year® awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.
About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.
About Ernst & Young's Strategic Growth Markets Practice
Ernst & Young's Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practice guides leading high-growth companies. Our multi-disciplinary team of elite professionals provides perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. SGM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. Ernst & Young is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies, and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at www.ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets.
About Ernst & Young
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