Our Team

Kirby Brown | Financial Advisor | Business Benefits Specialist

Born and raised in the small town of Brewster, WA, I’ve built my career on small-town values: hard work, loyalty, and straight talk.

After earning my business degree from Eastern Washington University, I entered the insurance and benefits industry in 1994 and never looked back. My path has taken me from regional leadership roles to where I feel most fulfilled—working one-on-one with families and business owners to build stronger financial futures.

In 2018, I partnered with the late Jim Starr to create Starr Investments & Benefits, now operating through Simplicity Wealth. Our practice focuses on three areas:

• Financial advising for individuals and families, and
• Customized benefit solutions for small businesses, including medical, voluntary, and retirement plans.
• Medicare Solutions 

My mission is simple: to make a difference. I want to be the advisor that you want to come see.  Someone who Listen's, Learns & Leads you down your True Path.   Whether it’s planning for retirement, protecting what matters, designing a legacy to leave behind or helping employers build benefits that attract great people, I’m all in.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, time outdoors on the water - pleasure boating or fishing, golfing, and preparing a nice smoked briskett to share with family and friends.  I recently served on the board of Feed Spokane for 3.5 years, a nonprofit feeding over 20,000 people a week. I continue to support them financially and volunteer there as much as my time allows. I’ve been married to my wife Tracy for over 30 years, and we’re proud of our growing family.

If you're looking for honest advice, clear solutions, and a hard-working team to serve you, then please reach out. 

Tyann Bennett is the Business Administrator and holds the position of Secretary for Starr Investments & Benefits. She truly is the heart and soul of our business and is one of a kind when it comes to communicating and caring for our clients. She literally is the face of our business and first contact with all of our clients and new relationships.  She has been here from day 1, and is our MVP. 

Tyann works closely with United Planners and their compliance department to make sure all our T's are crossed and I's dotted when completing all the rigorous paperwork required by FINRA and SEC to remain compliant with the ever changing regulations. 

She is also the Executive Assistant to Jim Starr and Kirby Brown and handles all the scheduling in the office and accounting.

Tyann hasn't always worked in the financial industry, although it may seem so.  After 25+ years in the dental industry as an Office Manager, Tyann went back to school and received her Accounting Clerks Certificate.  Upon graduating she was offered a position with Starr Investments & Benefits and went on to get her Washington State Life, Health and Annuity Licenses.

Tyann’s passion is to be able to provide outstanding, personal customer service for our clients, new and existing and to continue to learn about the ever-changing world of Investments and Benefits.

Outside of the office Tyann enjoys spending time with family & friends in the outdoors. You can often find them; camping, boating, Side by Side ATV riding, taking their family annual trip to the Oregon coast, or simply enjoying the summer sun at the lake with her best friend and sister Tracey, along with all the other family that makes it out there!  

She lives by, “You're never to old to go back to school, or start a new career at any stage of your life, always continue to learn!”  

Our Starr Investments & Benefits team can attest that Tyann has proven this to be true, time and time again!   

James Brown
Group Benefits & Life Insurance Specialist
Starr Investments & Benefits

As a Licensed Life and Health Agent at Starr Investments & Benefits, James Brown leads the group benefits and life insurance side of the business with a relationship-first mindset. With 7+ years in the sales industry, James has seen how often connection and genuine care are missing—and he’s made it his mission to change that.

After building a successful career in medical device sales in Portland, James recently returned home to Spokane to partner with his dad in the family business, aiming to build something meaningful for the community they love. He prides himself on creating long-term partnerships, simplifying the benefits process, and always keeping his clients’ best interests at heart.

James and the team at Starr Investments & Benefits offer a full range of employee benefits solutions—including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and more—tailored to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes.

Born and raised in Spokane and a proud East Valley High School graduate, James followed his dream of playing college basketball in Minnesota, where he competed for four years at Crown College. That same competitive drive and team spirit now power his work with clients, helping them navigate employee benefits and life insurance with confidence and clarity.

James’s goal is simple: make the benefits process easy to implement, effortless to manage, and tailored to help clients focus on what matters most—running their business.

Outside of work, you’ll find him on the basketball court, enjoying summer days at the lake, or spending time with his close-knit circle of family and friends. He’s a proud husband to Tatum and father to their daughter, Miller.

Business Partner Focus: Diana excels in serving business partners with "experience and expertise," ensuring high-quality customer service. She saves businesses money, streamlines employee onboarding for group benefits, and boosts efficiency through training on systems. Her embrace of technology and innovative "value propositions" enhances both existing and new partnerships.

Medicare Specialization: She manages a guided solutions approach in Medicare Supplements (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage Plans & Prescription Plans in Washington and Idaho. 

Annual training keeps her knowledgeable about Medicare’s shifting rules and products, driven by a passion to help retirees understand their options across state, federal, and private programs.

Diana’s has a Client-Centric approach which shows her commitment to "first-class solutions" and reflects her focus on customizing support for each client—business or individual—based on their unique needs and life stage.

Diana enjoys outdoor pursuits—golfing, fishing, camping, and traveling—typically with her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. 

Diana is also a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), (a lineage-based organization for women descended from American Revolution participants). Her involvement includes efforts to "preserve history and recognize veterans," by participating in community service, events, or projects honoring military service and heritage.

Diana is a seasoned, dedicated professional who brings expertise and care to her clients, particularly small businesses and retirees, while embracing innovation and maintaining a vibrant personal life. Diana is a highly skilled, client-focused insurance specialist with over two decades of experience. Her professional excellence is complemented by a rich personal life an