Metro Benefits, Inc--Staff Biographies

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David M. Lipkin, FSA, EA, MSPA

President/Consulting Actuary

David Lipkin, F.S.A. is the President of Metro Benefits, Inc. After receiving a B.A. in Mathematics from Hamilton College, David began his career in 1977 with Aetna Life and Casualty. In 1983, he moved to William M. Mercer, in Pittsburgh, where he served on the Actuarial Committee and acted as Senior Actuary and Consultant to a variety of clients, including a number of Fortune 500 comapnies

David founded Metro Benefits, Inc. in 1986. Metro's commitment to provide clear, comprehensive and worry-free service has made it one of the region's fastest growing companies in the field. David oversees all management functions of the office, and continues to spend a significant amount of time working with clients.

David is actively involved in the profession and has been asked to speak on a variety of topics, including the professional responsibilities of the actuary. He has published numerous articles in professional publications. He has been selected by the U.S. Department of Labor to serve as an "Independent Fiduciary" for several orphan/abandoned plans; and was elected in 2005 to the Board of Directors of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries ("ASPPA").

David resides in the North Hills of Pittsburgh with his beautiful wife Joyce and without his two sons (Brian and Kevin) who are away at law school and college. David enjoys poker and sports (hockey / baseball), officiating in his spare time.

Diane M. Barton, CPC, QKA, CEBS

Senior Vice President/Senior Consultant

Diane joined Metro Benefits, Inc. in January 1989. In addition to her role as Senior Vice President, she manages a defined contribution team at Metro Benefits, and also serves as a senior pension consultant.

Diane is a member of The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA). She received the designation of Certified Pension Consultant offered by ASPPA in February, 1992.

In addition Diane has received the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation jointly sponsored through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

A native of Pittsburgh, Diane is a graduate of Robert Morris College with a B.S. degree in Finance.

Diane enjoys spending her leisure time with her husband Craig and her children, Hunter and Taylor; golfing; and of course, shopping





Michele A. Cieszynski, QPA, QKA

Senior Analyst

Michele, a Pittsburgh native, joined Metro from MMC&P Retirement Services in July, 1999. She graduated with a degree from Thiel College, in Greenville, PA, in actuarial sciences. As a Senior Analyst, her duties include asset reconciliation, plan provision review, and ensuring that plans are in IRS compliance--not an easy thing to do!

An avid sports fan, Michele especially enjoys watching football and participating in golf and softball. Additionally, she enjoys warm weather vacations and listening to Jimmy Buffet music.

Michele and her husband David welcomed a new addition to their family, Madyson Shawn Marie, December 26, 2003.

William L. Curry, QKA

Senior Analyst

Bill joined Metro Benefits in February of 2002. He is a 2000 graduate of Duquesne University where he received a B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting and Finance.

Bill's duties include reconciling plan assets, annual processing and compliance testing, and preparing the annual governmental forms for defined contribution plans.

When Bill isn't working, he enjoys playing sports and spending time with family and friends

Maureen J. DeSensi, CEBS, QPA

Senior Consultant

Maureen has been with Metro Benefits, Inc. since August 1997. She is a Pension Consultant and works primarily in the Defined Benefit unit at Metro, although she is available to give technical assistance to all areas of Employee Benefits.

Maureen is a graduate of Duquesne University with a BA in Mathematics. She obtained her CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) designation in 1989 and currently maintains her fellowship with the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists by passing an exam on current Employee Benefit topics every two years.

Maureen is also certified by The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries as a Qualified Pension Administrator (Q.P.A.), and is studying for the last exam to obtain her C.P.C. (Certified Pension Consultant).

In her free time she enjoys music, camping, and vacations with her sons Dominick, John, and Vince, and her granddaughters Adrian and Sophia.

Bryon DiGiorgio

Pension Analyst

Bryon is a 2005 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics while graduating Summa Cum Laude and maintaining a full scholarship. Bryon is currently an Assistant Analyst. Bryon has recently passed two actuarial exams and is working towards professional designations in the pension field through the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries. He enjoys playing poker, going bowling, and rooting for his favorite teams, the Steelers, Pirates, and Pitt Panthers.

Mark A. Draa, CPC, QPA, QKA

Senior Consultant
Webmaster

Mark joined Metro Benefits, Inc. in January of 2001. Mark works primarily in the Defined Benefit unit, although he also maintains our computer network, software and web site. Mark brings 25 years of experience in employee benefits to Metro.

Mark is a graduate of Thiel College in Greenville, PA, with BA degrees in Accounting and Psychology. Mark also has been active on the Conferences Committee of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries, and spent many years as the co-Chair of a regional owners' group for a national pension software company.

In his spare time he enjoys singing, playing the piano, community theatre, and running his burgeoning computer service company . Mark lives in the North Hills with his wife, Barbara and retired racing greyhounds, Henry and Pandora.





Linda Fulton

Administrative Assistant

Linda joined Metro Benefits, Inc., in February 2007. Her duties include general administrative duties as well as assisting with preparing loan and distribution packages. She enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her husband, Dave, and her two daughters, Stephanie and Leah.





Maxine M. Kielbasa

Senior Administrative Assistant

Max joined the Metro Benefits, Inc. team in February 1997. Max's duties include clerical support, ordering office supplies, preparing IRS forms 1099-R and 5558 extensions, keeping track of government deadlines for the Defined Benefits and Defined Contribution areas, and preparing monthly reports regarding participants' deferral/match monies to be deposited.

Max's hobbies include reading, walking, and arts and crafts.

Leigh A. Lewis, QPA, QKA

Pension Consultant

Leigh has been with Metro Benefits, Inc. since June, 1999. A native of Pittsburgh, Leigh is a graduate of La Roche College with a degree in Finance. Since joining Metro, she has obtained the professional designations of QKA and QPA through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA). She is a Managing Consultant at Metro Benefits, Inc. and enjoys providing plan design and ongoing administration to a number of clients.

Leigh enjoys spending her leisure time camping, grilling or watching Steeler games with her husband Keith and her two very active young sons, Jacob and Caleb.




Leann Malloy

Pension Analyst

Leann joined the Metro Benefits team in February 2006. She is a 2002 graduate of Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics.

Leann’s duties include reconciling plan assets, preparing annual reports for clients and preparing annual government filings for defined contribution plans. She is working toward professional designations in the pension field through The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries.

Leann lives in Patterson Township, Beaver County, with her long-term boyfriend Luke and their daughter Lily. In her spare time, Leann enjoys baking, bowling, and playing darts.





Pauline M. Marshall

Senior Administrative Assistant

Polly has been with Metro Benefits, Inc. since October, 1998 as Administrative Assistant to Diane M. Barton, Vice President. Along with performing secretarial duties, she does investment splits, prepares participant benefit election packages, coordinates distributions and enters data as assigned. Polly enjoys playing golf and traveling with her husband, Bob.

Shelia McLaughlin, QPA, QKA

Senior Analyst

Shelia has been working for Metro Benefits, Inc. for over 10 years and has over 20 years experience in the pension industry. She is a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA). Currently Shelia works in our defined contribution unit and provides senior level administrative services with regard to all aspects of her client's plans. One of her favorite things about her job is the chance to build strong working relationships with her client contacts.

Shelia has a young daughter, and being a mom is really her "#1 Job". She enjoys camping, surfing the net and just spending time at home with her daughter Lanie, husband Tom, and dog, Daisy.

Samantha L. Mullenax

Administrative Assistant

Samantha joined Metro Benefits in November of 2007, after graduating from Bradford School with an Associate in Specialized Business: Office Administration. She handles the current Purchase Ordering and other Administrative duties.

When she is not working she enjoys spending her time with friends, reading, or being entertained by her three dogs Harley, Nala, and Gracie.


Amanda L. Nicholas

Assistant Analyst

Amanda is a 2006 graduate of Robert Morris University with a B.S/B.A. degree in Marketing. Amanda joined Metro Benefits in January of 2008. She is looking forward to earning professional designations in the pension field.

Amanda resides in the North Hills area with long-term boyfriend, Sean, and their Jack Russell Terrier named Goose. When not at work Amanda enjoys spending time with family and friends while cheering on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates.


Kelly C. Pucciarelli, QKA

Pension Analyst

Kelly joined Metro Benefits, Inc. in February of 2003. She is a 2001 graduate of Robert Morris University with a B.S. in Accounting. Kelly is a member of the defined contribution unit where she works with Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plans. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys cooking, gardening, scrap-booking, spending time with her husband, Mark and two Weimaraners Levi and Paisley.





Nathan D. Rock

Assistant Analyst

Nathan is a 2005 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics while graduating Cum Laude. Nathan is currently an Assistant Analyst. He enjoys playing poker, going bowling, horseshoes, and watching his favorite teams the Steelers and Chicago Cubs.

Russell D. Smith, CPC, QPA, QKA

Pension Consultant

Russ, a 1996 graduate of Duquesne University, has been with Metro Benefits, Inc. since January, 1997. Since that time he has become a Qualified 401(k) Administrator, Qualified Pension Administrator and Certified Pension Consultant, designated by The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries. He is also founder and sits on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries' "Benefits Council of Western PA".

He is the Associate Vice President and a Managing Consultant at Metro Benefits, Inc. He is the active consultant of numerous pension Plans and his duties include the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of a number of prototype and customized 401(k), 403(b), Profit Sharing, Davis Bacon and Defined Benefit Plans.

Russ resides in the North Hills with his wife Christina, and his children, Ryan and Lauren.





Jennifer Stenson, QKA

Pension Analyst

Jen joined Metro Benefits, Inc. in January of 2007 with 11 years of experience in the Defined Contribution field. She graduated from Clarion University with a B.S. degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting. Jen has a well-rounded background in the employee benefits field ranging from Daily Plan Administration and recordkeeping operations, to Plan Document design/interpretation, to building and maintaining successful client relationships.

Jen is currently striving towards professional designations in the pension field through ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries).

Jen currently resides in the North Hills with her husband, Sean, and two young children - Dylan and Kaitlyn.





Michael Steve, QPA

Senior Analyst

Mike is a 1999 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Mike joined Metro Benefits in February 2000 and is working towards professional designations in the pension field through the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries.

When not at work, Mike enjoys golfing and attending as many Pittsburgh sporting events as possible. He is a huge fan of the Steelers and Green Bay Packers.

Todd Szramowski

Pension Analyst

Todd joined Metro Benefits, Inc. in February of 2006. He is a 2005 graduate of Robert Morris University with a B.S./B.A. degree in Accounting. Todd is a member of the defined contribution unit where he works with Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plans, reconciling assets, preparing annual processings and government forms.


In his spare time, Todd is an avid sports fan and enjoys rooting for his favorite teams, the Steelers and the Penguins.






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