Owners

Russell D. Smith
CPC, QPA, QKA

Principal

Russ, a 1996 graduate of Duquesne University, has been a vital part of Metro Benefits, Inc. since January 1997. As a Principal owner and current President of the company, he brings a wealth of expertise to the firm, holding the esteemed designations of Certified Pension Consultant (CPC), Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) awarded by the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries.

Russ actively consults on numerous retirement plans, overseeing the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of a variety of prototype and customized plans, including 401(k), 403(b), Profit Sharing, Prevailing Wage, and Defined Benefit/Cash Balance Plans. His commitment to excellence and client service ensures that Metro Benefits continues to thrive in a competitive industry.

Contact: [email protected]

Leigh A. Lewis
QPA, QKA

Principal

Leigh has been a valued member of Metro Benefits, Inc. since June 1999, currently serving as a Principal Owner and Vice President. A proud native of Pittsburgh, Leigh graduated from La Roche College with a degree in Finance. Since joining the firm, she has earned the professional designations of Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.

Leigh is passionate about providing plan design and ongoing administration to a diverse range of clients. She has also served on the Board of the ASPPA Women in Retirement Conference (WiRC), where she contributed her expertise and insights to support fellow professionals.

Contact: [email protected]

Managing Consultants

Diane M. Barton
CPC, QPA, QKA, CEBS, ERPA

Diane Barton

Consultant

A native of Pittsburgh, Diane graduated from Robert Morris College with a B.S. in Finance. As a consultant for Metro Benefits, Inc., she has played a pivotal role in the firm’s development and growth since joining in 1989 and served as owner/President of the company from 2012-2024.

Diane is a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) and holds several prestigious designations, including Certified Pension Consultant (CPC), Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA), and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA). Additionally, she has earned the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation, jointly sponsored by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Diane also holds the Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) designation, authorizing her to practice before the IRS on behalf of plan sponsors.

Contact: [email protected]

David M. Lipkin
FSA, EA, MSPA

Actuary

David Lipkin, F.S.A., is a Consulting Actuary and the founder 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 as Senior Actuary and Consultant to a variety of clients, including several Fortune 500 companies. He founded Metro Benefits, Inc. in 1986.

David is actively involved in the profession and has been invited to speak on various topics, including the professional responsibilities of actuaries. He has published numerous articles in professional publications, been called to serve as an Expert Witness in several legal cases and has been selected by the U.S. Department of Labor to serve as an “Independent Fiduciary” for many orphaned or abandoned plans.

In 2005, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) and became President of the organization from 2013-2014. He continues to serve on the Board of the American Retirement Association and also participates on the Leadership Council for the ASPPA College of Pension Actuaries

Contact: [email protected]

Christine A. Lestitian
QKC, QKA

Managing Consultant – West Virginia Office

To better serve our expanding client base in West Virginia, Christine Lestitian joined Metro Benefits in June 2008 and oversees our Ripley, West Virginia office. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a B.S. in Industrial Management, Chris has made significant contributions to our firm. Since joining Metro Benefits, she has earned her Qualified 401(k) Consultant (QKC) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) credentials from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.

Under her leadership, our West Virginia office has experienced substantial growth and now employs five full-time staff members. Her expertise and unwavering commitment to client success make her an invaluable asset to our team.

Contact: [email protected]

Shelia L. McLaughlin
QPA, QKA

Managing Consultant

Shelia has been a dedicated professional in the retirement plan administration industry since 1984 and has been with Metro Benefits, Inc. since 1992. An active member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, she holds the Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designations.

As a Managing Consultant at Metro Benefits, Shelia delivers comprehensive administrative and consulting services to her clients, ensuring their plans align with their benefit goals while remaining compliant with the latest IRS regulations. Her expertise in retirement plan analysis and keen attention to detail greatly enhance the Metro team.

Contact: [email protected]

Michael W. Steve
CPC

Managing Consultant

Mike, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, has been with Metro Benefits, Inc. since February 2000. An active member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, he holds the prestigious designations of Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) and Certified Pension Consultant (CPC).

As our dedicated DB/CB consultant, Mike oversees numerous complex plans, with responsibilities that include the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of a variety of Defined Benefit, Cash Balance, 401(k), and Profit Sharing Plans. His extensive knowledge and proactive approach not only improve our clients’ experiences, but also contribute significantly to the success of our firm.

Contact: [email protected]

Kristie M. Guzik
QKA

Managing Consultant

Kristie joined Metro Benefits, Inc. in 2012 after earning her degree in Actuarial Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh. As a Managing Consultant, she partners with Plan Sponsors and Advisors to design and implement effective 401(k) plans that benefit both employers and employees, ensuring that each Plan meets its objectives while navigating the complexities of all IRS regulations. An active member of WIPN and the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, Kristie holds the credential of Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA). She collaborates closely with Metro’s Actuary, David Lipkin, on various U.S. Department of Labor orphaned and abandoned plans, where he serves as the Independent Fiduciary. With a strong desire to grow and contribute over the long-term, Kristie enriches the organization by remaining committed to helping organizations achieve their retirement goals within the collaborative environment of Metro Benefits, Inc.

Contact: [email protected]

Emma J. Joyce-Shively
CPC, QPA, QKC, QKA

Managing Consultant / Director of Marketing

Since joining Metro Benefits, Inc. in 2015, after her graduation from the University of Pittsburgh, Emma has played a role in both the consulting and marketing for the firm. As a Managing Consultant, she specializes in assisting plan sponsors with day-to-day administration, plan design, and navigating the complexities of ever-evolving IRS regulations. Her expertise in the pension industry is backed by multiple professional designations from the American Society of Pension Professional and Actuaries, including Certified Pension Consultant (CPC), Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA), Qualified 401(k) Consultant (QKC), and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA). Emma is an active member of this organization (ASPPA) as well as WIPN, a group for women in the retirement industry.

In her role as Director of Marketing, she also contributes to the firm’s growth by driving the sale of new plans and enhancing the company’s outreach efforts and online presence. Her commitment to excellence and dedication to client success make her a valued asset to both the team and the clients we serve.

Contact: [email protected]

Analysts

Administrative Support