Relationship Managers

Michele is a Relationship Manager with STAR with her career focus in financial service for 38 years working out of our Columbia City location.  She advises small businesses in Whitley County, North Fort Wayne and Angola, while helping them grow and succeed. Since 2004, Michele has held various positions in banking, including branch manager, banker training, financial education as well as being a licensed financial advisor. Before joining the STAR team in 2016, she spent at Chase and Crossroads. Before that, Michelle spent 18 years with Lincoln Financial in group health and annuities. Michele attended Purdue Fort Wayne. She also attained her Loma, Train the Trainer and Professional Women in Investing certificates, along with completing the Management Development program through Cornell University.  Michele is a Casa volunteer where she has been advocating for children allowing their voices to be heard in court since 2019.  In her spare time, she is an artist and enjoys painting. She resides in Rome City with her husband Joel and 3 dogs. Michele enjoys spending time with her three children Jennifer, Matthew, and Ryan, along with her six grandchildren.  She also enjoys traveling to Italy to spend time with her Italian family.  

Debbie joined STAR in 2005 as a Relationship Manager and has over 40 years of banking experience. She previously worked with JP Morgan Chase, Bank One and its other predecessor banks. Debbie consults with business customers in the Fort Wayne area helping them to thrive and grow by providing the appropriate business loans, deposits, treasury services and financial guidance. She excels at providing exceptional customer service and being a trusted advisor. Debbie has volunteered her time in the community with many organizations. She is currently involved with Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana where she has been on the Board for almost 19 years. During her years of service she has been on the Executive committee, Development/Friends Committee, Board Development committee, and participated in numerous fundraisers. She is also currently on the board of directors for the Allen County Christmas Bureau. She has volunteered a lot over the years for organizations such as Downtown Improvement District, Three Rivers Festival, Girl Scouts, Junior Achievement, Blue Jacket, Canterbury Schools, Concordia Lutheran School and many more. Debbie is a lifetime resident of Fort Wayne. She is married and has two daughters. She enjoys antiquing, thrifting and spending time with her family.

Julie joined STAR Financial Bank in 2017 and serves as a Relationship Manager with an entrepreneur spirit to assist Small Business clients with their needs for business success, using financial and community resources.  She is an experienced professional with 30 years of experience in finance and the insurance and banking industries. Julie has a bachelor’s degree in business and several insurance licenses.  She is adept at growing existing customer relationships in the Kokomo, Tipton, and Muncie/Marion area, as well as managing prospect life cycles. She is passionate about connecting and prospective clients with other small businesses in the community with the win-win approach. She is well known for her connections through serving on boards for organizations such as Family Service Association which holds five non-profit organizations under their umbrella.  Recently, she was elected to the Kokomo Chamber of Commerce Council Board, and serves on several committees for the Chamber which include the Strawberry Festival, Chamber Golf Outing and the Chamber Membership Committee as a Chamber Ambassador. She also helps her team with the “We Care Tree Auction” and decorates the Seiberling Mansion for the Historical Society. She enjoys spending time with her family and her many hobbies which include golfing on the Sundown Women’s Golf League at Chippendale Golf Course, selling online and maintaining the landscaping at her home in Kokomo. Her mottos are the importance of paying it forward to help others and paying yourself first to save for the future.