John Beardslee was hungry. It was 6 p.m. on a Friday, and he had missed lunch.

Still, the senior vice president of Bank of America in Indianapolis was cheerful, and eager to talk about his work.

“I help the bank deliver credit to our clients and prospects,” in Indiana and Ohio, he explained. Mainly, his office deals with companies worth $50 million to $2 billion.

“It’s big, but in terms of the dollar these days, $2 billion isn’t as big as it was a few years ago,” he said.

He’s been in commercial banking for 14 years. Much of that time was spent moving up the ladder at Chicago-based LaSalle Bank. He and three associates opened LaSalle’s office in Indianapolis, his hometown.

“We had four bankers, no clients and no revenues,” just some cramped rented office space, he recalled. How small was it? “You couldn’t shut the door because you’d hit the desk.”

From those humble beginnings, the operation grew quickly. By 2005, Beardslee was running things in Indy.

When Bank of America bought LaSalle in 2007, Beardslee stayed and became responsible for the Indiana and Ohio markets.

He attributes his success to consistency. “Every year we have a good year,” he said.

With a wife who teaches full time, two daughters, ages 12 and 10, and a third daughter born last month, family time is a priority.

“With technology today—laptops, BlackBerrys—you can never leave work. It can always find you,” he said. “You have to be disciplined, at some point in the evening and on weekends, to put things down and enjoy your family.”

Child Advocates Inc., where he is on the board, also gets his time and expertise.

“It’s rewarding. I love the organization and our mission” to represent and protect children involved in legal proceedings.

He is also on the Finance Department Advisory Board at his alma mater, Ball State University.

Still, when it’s six o’clock on Friday, he could be at work.

“I’ve got great associates and great clients,” he said, sounding like a lucky man.•

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