Meet Our Team

Having been with A-Star Staffing since its start in 1999, Amanda has enjoyed servicing both small, family-owned businesses as well as large, corporate entities.  She believes in building strong relationships with both clients and candidates alike, striving to ensure each placement is a success for all parties involved.  Matching talent with opportunity, as well as knowing her clients are happy, has been a fulfilling and rewarding career.  Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and in her volunteer work.

Julie Brown is the President of San Diego Insurance Temps, Inc., a company that she has successfully led since its inception. She oversees two divisions: SDI Staffing, which she founded in 1995, and A-Star Staffing, which was acquired in 2023. SDI Staffing specializes in placing temporary and direct hire employees in the insurance industry across California, Arizona, and Nevada. A-Star Staffing focuses on administrative, accounting, HR, and customer service roles within various industries throughout San Diego County.

Julie is a California Licensed Fire/Casualty Agent and a Certified Staffing Professional. Her professional affiliations include membership in the American Staffing Association (ASA), California Staffing Professionals, the San Diego Association of Insurance Professionals (SDAIP), and PWI San Diego. She has served in numerous roles, including President, within these organizations. Additionally, she is an active member of the Independent Agents and Brokers of both Orange County and San Diego. Notably, she was the first Associate Member on the board of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of San Diego (IIAB San Diego). Julie is also dedicated to education, teaching insurance and personal development classes to clients and industry organizations.

Julie's contributions to the industry have been recognized with numerous awards. These include being named among the Elite Women in Insurance in 2022 by Insurance Business America, receiving the SBA’s “Women-Owned Business of the Year for San Diego and Imperial Counties,” and being honored with the “Employer of the Year” award by the San Diego Workforce Partnership. She has also been recognized with the “Women Who Mean Business” Award from the San Diego Business Journal, “Insurance Woman of the Year” by PWI, “Associate Member of the Year” by the Independent Brokers & Agents of San Diego, and “Insurance Professional of the Year” by SDAIP. Additionally, she received the Career Sponsorship Award from the OPT Program at Grossmont College for her commitment to educating young people about the insurance industry.

Before founding San Diego Insurance Temps, Inc., Julie spent over 12 years working in the insurance industry at both carrier and agency levels in Southern California and North Carolina. Her roles ranged from sales and customer service in personal and commercial lines to operations management, giving her comprehensive industry knowledge.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a minor in Economics from the University of California, San Diego. A San Diego native, she is married with two married children and enjoys crochet, camping, and reading in her spare time. During race season, she can often be found at the race track, where her son and son-in-law compete in 600 Midgets or dwarf cars.

Lauren joined A-Star Staffing in 2010 and carries many years of experience in operations, employee relations, CA employment laws, and accounting. Her favorite part of the job is getting to help people, especially in our local community.

Michelle has worked within the Staffing Industry since 1997. She has an in depth knowledge of CA Employment Laws, a proven record of effective organization, and project management expertise that helps keep the company on top of staffing and technology trends. As Vice President of Staffing Operations, she is responsible for the profitability and strategic direction of division operations, ensures organizational effectiveness, identifies and implements best practices, maintains and updates technology, assesses legal and risk management, implements company human resource policies & procedures, is responsible for the accounting processes, and maintains the company website and marketing efforts.

• Certified Staffing Professional (CSP)
• Member of the American Staffing Association (ASA)
• Former Board Member of CSP San Diego Chapter (Secretary) 2020-2022
• Former Board Member of AFWA San Diego (Social Media Director) 2019-2020
• Former Board Member of HTHMA Parent Association (Webmaster) 2015-2018

Michelle has explored four of the seven continents, but her roots remain firmly planted in San Diego, California. Beyond her love for travel, she enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, gardening, and fishing whenever possible. Most importantly, she cherishes spending quality time with her family and friends.

Diana Barnes founded A-Star Staffing in 1999, driven by a focus and passion for making lasting relationships. Under her leadership, A-Star Staffing became a recognized name in the industry, known for its commitment to connecting talented individuals with opportunities that match their skills and aspirations.

Throughout her tenure, Barnes championed a relationship-centric approach, ensuring that both clients and candidates felt valued and understood. This philosophy not only set A-Star Staffing apart from competitors but also fostered a community of trust and mutual success.

Barnes's vision and dedication to building strong, enduring connections have left a lasting impact on A-Star Staffing and the broader staffing industry. Her legacy continues to inspire the company's mission and values, reflecting her belief in the power of relationships to transform careers and businesses alike.