About LaSalle

The LaSalle mission is simple: Provide our customers with flexible, quality solutions to simplify and optimize their technology operations, freeing up capital, time and resources to invest in continued growth and success.

LaSalle is about much more than any specific technology or financial structure; we are about relationships. We discover what is best for each individual customer, manufacturer and partner involved and provide the guidance and infrastructure necessary to help them drive better business outcomes. Our distinctive company history and culture, as well as our unique approach to asset, maintenance contract and lease schedule management, have been our key ingredients of success.

Tech and finance have changed immeasurably in the past decades, but our principles have helped us listen, evolve and grow alongside everyone we have worked with over the years. We constantly communicate with and learn from our customers to better understand their needs and help us improve our products and services, ensuring that our customers always have the best tools and most relevant technology available to them.

Our commitment to service is deeply woven into our company culture, because we know that success starts with our employees. We believe in creating an environment where people want to work, where they can grow and prosper, and where personal success is aligned with company success.

LaSalle Solutions is a division of Fifth Third Bank, serving in the Commercial sector focused on the technology and finance solutions. LaSalle and Fifth Third share Midwest roots and a proud commitment that puts customers at the center of everything we do. Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio-chartered bank. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Deposit and Credit products are offered by Fifth Third Bank. Member FDIC.

The Right Partner Changes Everything

The LaSalle Difference

Learn more about our company and how we deliver real value to our customers.

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Meet Our Executive Team

Robert Metzen

President & CEO

James Brustad

CFO

Edward Garcia

CIO

Steven Robb

President – Solutions Group

John Drake

Vice President Sales – Leasing

Mitch Northcutt

President – BreakFree Solutions

Susan Walsh

Vice President – Human Resources

Charles M. Gately

Founder & Chairman of the Board

Our Commitment

From our roots in leasing and financing to our expanded solutions for enhanced information management via LAMP, we have maintained a constant commitment to service and growth, with mutually beneficial service for our customers.

For almost four decades, LaSalle has demonstrated this commitment through adaptability and change while maintaining a healthy financial posture. We know this is an important reason why we enjoy so many long-term relationships with our customers and partners. Our philosophy of evolving alongside our customers and listening to their needs is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that the first customer we signed in 1980 is still with us today.

We make every effort to develop the best solutions to meet each customer’s unique objectives, regardless of their financial situation. This approach has helped us maintain our business relationships, contributing to one of the highest retention rates in the industry.

People, Process, and Technology. Working Together to Drive Real Savings. This is the LaSalle Difference.

Our History

It has been enlightening working with you and the team from LaSalle Solutions and learning about the possibilities that lie ahead. Everyone has shown such a great interest in learning about how we work as an institution and how LaSalle can help with the challenges that we face. The team’s commitment to excellent customer service, extensive knowledge of your services, and the ability to think out of the box paints a portrait of success.

– Director of Software Development, Large University (Higher Ed)

LAMP is a fantastic product that helps organize and track your network assets, service contracts and end of life/end of sale information.

-Senior Network Engineer, Global Provider of Professional Precision Instruments and Services

I just wanted to thank you for being so wonderful to work with. It truly gives me peace of mind knowing you are always there for me and the Company. You are always supportive and ALWAYS provide excellent customer service.

– Sr. Technician, Major Retailer

Nice job. That’s the unique quality of service that LaSalle offers and exemplifies the true meaning of VAR with regard to support services.

– IT Manager, Major Healthcare Provider

Wow! And I just sent you a voice mail thinking you may not have seen this one yet! Thank you! The next thing I know is you will be sending back the quotes five minutes before I send them to you.

– Logistics Coordination Engineer, Major Consumer Products Company

Now that’s what I call Value Add.

– Network Engineer, Major Consumer Products Company

Outstanding as usual!

– Network Engineer, Financial Services Company

From our end everything ran smoothly and seamlessly, which is a typical reflection of your work and attention to detail.

– Operations Manager, Technology Services Company

It has been an absolute pleasure working with you…you are by far the most knowledgeable and skilled reseller I have worked with.

– Vendor Partner Administrator, Technology Distribution

Thanks! What would we do without you?

– Engineer Server Team, Major Financial Services Company

Your quick service really rocks!

– IT/Telecom SUpport, Major Boating Equipment Manufacturer

Thank you for all your support. you have been a huge help to me as I have come up to speed on network maintenance.

– Asset Management Support, Major Consumer Products Company

LAMP is what initially sold me on LaSalle and won me away from the incumbent partner I worked with. This is a great example of how a partner can provide value and differentiate themselves.

– LAMP User

I recommend LaSalle and LAMP to each and every peer.

– LAMP User

I find the ease of use very good. It doesn’t take long to either find or update info.

– LAMP User

Can’t say enough about the quality of LaSalle’s support.

– Network Engineer, Major Auto Manufacturer

LAMP is a very important component of the value LaSalle brings over other options.

– LAMP User

Great tool, always easy to use.

– LAMP User

Great way to keep inventory and maintenance in sync.

– LAMP User

Great tool, and besides the tool itself, great people behind the scenes. LaSalle is top notch, hands down the best vendor I have worked with.

– LAMP User

Awards & Recognition

Although we recognize that awards and certifications are not the most important measurement of our success, they help tell our story.

LaSalle Solutions has been recognized for special achievements and expertise, performance, and customer satisfaction. We value and are proud of these accolades, as they are important benchmarks in our industry.

See Awards & Recognition

Join Our Team

At LaSalle Solutions, we give you the resources to develop your career and the opportunity to see the results of your work in action.

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Robert Metzen, President & CEO

As president and chief executive officer of LaSalle Solutions, Bob Metzen is the liaison between the board of directors and upper management. He is responsible for executing the day-to-day operations that drive LaSalle’s success and help achieve business objectives.

Metzen is committed to providing LaSalle customers with the highest-quality technology and tools to optimize their lease financing processes.

“I have been in the leasing business for 30 years and have seen many businesses use lease financing improperly,” said Metzen. “I strive to teach our customers the right way to use it. I want to ensure that LaSalle Solutions is always doing the right thing for its customers and that we continue to build lasting relationships based on trust and expertise.”

Metzen joined LaSalle Solutions in 1995 as Chief Financial Officer. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the equipment leasing industry. Prior to joining the company, Metzen worked as an accountant at Prize Waterhouse, Morton Thycol and Prime Capital before becoming the controller at Harbor Capital in 1992. Metzen is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Public Accounting.

James Brustad, Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer of LaSalle Solutions, James Brustad oversees the Finance group of the company, including financial reporting, budgeting, accounting, regulatory and compliance, credit, tax, and treasury.

Brustad reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and provides tactical and strategic guidance on the operational and other affairs of the company.

“LaSalle Solutions is a relationship-driven business at its core,” said Brustad. “What we are selling to our customers is the value provided to the customer by our employees. We are selling a relationship to each customer, one that will provide value in their dealings with us for years to come. The LaSalle employees believe in it, and their hard work underlying that belief ultimately creates the LaSalle Difference.”

Brustad joined LaSalle Solutions in 2007 as Chief Financial Officer. He has more than 30 years’ experience in Finance, having started his career as a file clerk. Brustad worked in Finance in the equipment leasing industry for 10 years prior to joining as a partner in an independently owned equipment leasing company. He also co-founded the first Leasing Cooperative in the United States.

Edward Garcia, Chief Information Officer

As Chief Information Officer (CIO) at LaSalle Solutions, Edward Garcia oversees the technology teams that keep the company running on a daily basis. He has more than 20 years’ experience in IT management with a proven record of significant contributions to both core and new businesses.

Garcia joined LaSalle Solutions in 2005 as an IT consultant, bringing with him a long history of strong leadership and a deep array of technology industry knowledge. Since joining, he has successfully managed IT operations while keeping costs at a minimum. Garcia identifies strongly with LaSalle’s values of trust, relationship building, and he strives to pass them on to both customers and employees.

“At LaSalle Solutions, we are not in the business of selling products, but rather outcomes,” said Garcia. “People buy outcomes and that is what our customers are ultimately after. I want to give a better endpoint to my users. I want to help them perform their own jobs better.”

Garcia is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and holds a Bachelor of Arts in history. He began his career in the leasing industry at Harbor Capital, where he met a controller named Robert Metzen (current CEO of LaSalle Solutions). Garcia started his own IT consulting firm, GTech Solutions, in 2005, and LaSalle Solutions became the flagship account. In 2010, Garcia was brought on as an employee of LaSalle Solutions and assumed his current role as CIO.

Mitch Northcutt, President - BreakFree Solutions

As president of BreakFree Solutions, a LaSalle Solutions company, Mitch Northcutt is responsible for developing innovative approaches to expand the company’s offerings and meet customer needs.

Northcutt brings ta vast array of experience developing and managing technology businesses and is considered a trailblazer in the field by his customers and peers. He will use his experience to explore and foster the development of innovative strategies at BreakFree Solutions.

“There is a dynamic shift in how IT is consumed, built and delivered," said Northcutt. “Technology innovation has outpaced the IT organization’s ability to adapt, and the rate of innovation is accelerating like never before. Now is the time to apply tested IT operating principles to the cloud computing world and effectively deliver cloud services to customers.”

Northcutt joined LaSalle Solutions in 2016. With more than 20 years’ experience in technology management and strategic development, Northcutt is a proven leader and innovator of technology and consulting solutions. He has served as a senior executive at many prestigious companies, including AHEAD, Ouray Technology Partners Inc., GlassHouse Technologies, RapidApp, and Renaissance Worldwide.

Steven Robb, President - Solutions Group

As president of the solutions group at LaSalle Solutions, Steven Robb oversees the Product Development, Professional Services and Group Operations teams. Robb is responsible for all sales, operations and the development of LaSalle's LAMP platform, the market-leading cloud-based platform that enhances customer life-cycle management of assets, maintenance contracts and leases.

The principal customer liaison at LaSalle Solutions, Robb is committed to prioritizing customer successes and creating the best and most innovative long-term solutions for their businesses.

“Customer satisfaction is more than just a core value at LaSalle Solutions; it’s a key driver for our success,” said Robb. “Not only are we a Cisco Services Gold Partner, but we have also been recognized for delivering Cisco Customer Satisfaction Excellence for 40 consecutive quarters.

This means our customers are experiencing a true partnership, with flexible, responsive service.”

Robb joined LaSalle Solutions in 2004 as vice president and general manager. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the IT and networking arena. Prior to joining the company, Robb served as senior vice president of sales at Comdisco and central regional sales director for both Westinghouse Communications and Fiberlink Communications.

Robb is a graduate of Illinois State University with a B.S. in Economics.

John Drake, V.P. of Leasing Sales

As vice president of Leasing Sales at LaSalle Solutions, John Drake oversees the Leasing team in helping customers optimize their business spend and equipment usage processes, ensuring dedicated support and unparalleled customer service.

Drake joined LaSalle Solutions in 2006 as a Regional Sales director, bringing with him a long history of strong leadership and successful customer relationships. Since joining, he has been successful in increasing LaSalle’s customer base and increasing revenue. Drake has become a trusted member of the LaSalle Management Team and a mentor and manager to its growing salesforce.

He is committed to delivering the best possible service through customized, flexible solutions that include leasing options to optimize customer spend as well as technology operations management services such as LAMPSM, LaSalle’s proprietary customer platform that enhances customer life-cycle management of assets, maintenance contracts and lease information.

Drake has more than 30 years’ experience in sales and management with a proven record of significant contributions to core and new businesses. He has over 10 years’ leasing experience managing large accounts in industries such as healthcare and manufacturing while assisting and training representatives and customers on the proper use of leasing capital equipment and the economics associated with it.

“At LaSalle, we show customers the economics and why we provide the best overall solution,” said Drake. “That’s why I enjoy working at LaSalle. It’s such a transparent, family-oriented company that is dedicated to our customers and their objectives.”

Drake is a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard and a graduate of the U.S. Army Electronics and Non-Commissioned Officer Schools as well as the Gwinnett Technical Institute with a degree in management. He is also a graduate of the American Management Association’s School of Management.

Susan Walsh, V.P. - Human Resources

As vice president of Human Resources (HR) at LaSalle Solutions, Susan Walsh is responsible for developing a comprehensive people strategy while managing initiatives and best practices in support of business objectives.

Walsh is committed to developing company policies, managing organizational effectiveness and fostering talent engagement on behalf of LaSalle Solutions.

“I do my best to encourage all employees to contribute to the success of the business,” said Walsh. “All employees are stakeholders, and I want to be sure they understand their importance. It is my job to take care of the employees, protect the company and help the managers construct effective people strategies for their staff.”

Walsh joined LaSalle Solutions in 2015 with more than 16 years’ experience in HR management. Prior to joining the company, Walsh operated her own consulting business and served as director of HR at Project Leadership Associates Inc. She also holds a culinary degree and once served as executive chef at an Irish pub.

Charles M. Gately, Founder & Chair of the Board

Charles M. Gately founded the LaSalle Computer Corporation in June of 1980 with a focus on buying, selling and leasing computer equipment.

Gately decided that his company would not be driven by taxes or products but rather by relationships. He wanted to build connections and trust with his customers and do business with companies that didn’t interest the large independent lessors.

His leadership helped develop the company into a strong competitor with a national presence, expanding services and growing into LaSalle Systems Leasing Inc. Gately sold the company to MB Financial Bank in 2002, providing LaSalle with the resources to compete in new markets with larger transactions.

“I was looking for a partner that knew the business and the company, and I had a long relationship with MB,” said Gately. “Though I am no longer the owner, it is still important to me that I continue to be a part of LaSalle and the relationships I’ve developed throughout the years, both with co-workers and customers. I am so proud of what LaSalle has become and of the integrity that the company continues to uphold.”

Gately now serves as chair of the board for the company, which became LaSalle Solutions in 2007. As chair, Gately ensures that his legacy of a relationship-driven business is left in tact.

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