About Us And The Team Behind MetroDI

The premier Brokerage Agency for Disability Income Insurance


Our Mission

We strive to ensure that every policy is delivered with the best rating based on clients’ medical, financial and occupational history. We aim to be an invaluable resource in order for our producers to deliver the best product to fit their clients’ income and business protection needs.

60 Years and 3 Generations

Since 1963, we have been the brokers resource for income protection products.

August 1963

Metro A & H Agency was founded by Len Gardner to provide disability income insurance products to insurance agents.

April 1969

Karen attended her 1st sales conference in Miami Beach and decided she wanted to work in the business.
(stuffing envelopes after school at 9 years old, Karen became the marketing dept for MetroDI)

September 1981

Karen officially joined Metro DI making up the 2nd generation of Metro DI, and sister Lorraine Skoglund joined Metro shortly thereafter

Winter 1987

We start them young

October 2010

Jordan joined MetroDI and shortly thereafter Lindsay came on board solidifying 3 generations of Disability Income Specialists

Our goal has always been to provide the resources
to make our agents the most knowledgeable so they can provide seamless service to their clients.

Meet the Team

why does it say access the suite there. It should say The Metro Team has over 100 years of combined experience providing sales support to insurance agents and financial professionals.

Leadership

Karen Gardner
General Agent

Karen started as a brokerage manager at MetroDI in 1980 after graduating from George Washington University. In 1985, Karen became co-general agent of MetroDI. MetroDI was the leading general agency for Massachusetts Casualty for over ten years, until they stopped doing business in 1999.

With the demise of so many Disability Income carriers, Karen’s vision for a full-service disability General Agency representing multiple companies was born. She has written many articles, has spoken at industry meetings on Disability Income-related topics and has been on insurance company advisory panels for many years. Karen’s goal is to help spread the word about the importance of income protection.

Karen has three children, two of whom make up the third generation of disability income specialists at MetroDI. In her free time, Karen enjoys traveling, golfing and entertaining.


Jordan Albala
Associate General Agent

After graduating from the University of Michigan in 2009 with a degree in Architecture, Jordan joined the MetroDI team representing the third generation of disability income specialists.

His expertise in business products has helped many agents through financial underwriting. Jordan prides himself on teaching agents how to maximize their sales through multi-life & guaranteed issue concepts and has been an asset to many new and experienced insurance professionals. Jordan resides in midtown Miami.

In his free time Jordan enjoys working out, playing golf and tennis, and spending time at the beach.


Lindsay Albala
Associate General Agent

Lindsay, along with her brother Jordan, make up the third generation of income protection specialists at MetroDI. Lindsay learned the business from her grandfather while working at MetroDI during her summers off from college where she learned the importance of Disability Income insurance.

Upon graduating from Colorado College, Lindsay worked for the nonprofit Smile Train managing their fundraising efforts through their endurance program, fielding teams for marathons and Ironman events. Lindsay joined MetroDI full time in 2017 and loves being able to counsel and coach her producers on Disability Income products and how to increase their sales utilizing the product offerings.

When Lindsay is not promoting disability insurance, she enjoys spending time with her golden retriever Madison, training for marathons, golfing, cooking, and enjoying time at the beach.


Keith Landsberg
Executive Vice President, Operations & Business Development

Keith has held many executive leadership roles throughout his career, including Vice President of Options for the American Stock Exchange, Executive Vice President, Business Development at Ballista Securities, and COO for Chris Benz Fashion Designs.

He has been frequently quoted by publications such as the New York Times, Institutional Investor, and The Wall Street Letter, and served as a popular guest expert television commentator on CNBC, Bloomberg Television, CNNfn, Fox News Channel, and The BBC Network.

Keith’s experience successfully navigating organizations through constant high-risk financial volatility coupled with his expertise in financial risk-management products gives him the unique ability to anticipate the ever-changing needs of our agents and their clients.

Keith lives on Long Island with his wife Stacey and children, Maddy and Ryan.


Christopher Leppard
Senior Brokerage Manager

Christopher is a graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington with degrees in business administration, entrepreneurship, and marketing. Since joining MetroDI in 2010 as a Brokerage Manager, Chris’ passion has been assisting his clients to enhance their careers.

Through his hard work and dedication, he has not only helped countless agents place their first Disability case, but has helped them grow into industry leaders. Chris prides himself on his quick response times and his ability to treat every client and case with the passion it deserves.

When Chris is not customizing policies for his clients, he enjoys golfing, trips to North Fork of Long Island, and spending time on the Upper East Side of Manhattan where he resides.


Lorraine Skoglund
Vice President of Sales

Lorraine began her career at MetroDI in 1995 after working in sales and design for many years. She has provided sales support and expertise to her brokers and the brokerage managers that she has trained.

Her creative background has helped her provide out-of-the-box solutions to the many hundreds of agents that she’s guided through the disability maze over the years. Her expertise in medical underwriting makes her a most valuable member of our team. She has helped her agents place millions of dollars of Disability Income premium.

When not working Lorraine travels the world, creates art, cooks, gardens, and enjoys life in Equador.


Support

Debbie Levine
Office Manager & senior licensing & sales support specialist
Elizabeth Dawydko
Policy Issue and placement manager
Jacqueline Levenberg
New business specialist
Pat Wicker
Pending business & policy holder service coordinator
Ann Verriotto
Pending Business Coordinator
Doris Birkl
Senior Sales support & new business analyst