Steve Locanto
Oak Brook-based Ace Hardware Corporation hired Northern Illinois University alumnus Steve Locanto as corporate controller. Locanto will report to Ace Chief Financial Officer Bill Guzik and oversee a broad range of financial matters, including internal and external financial reporting, internal controls, operational accounting and systems.
“We are pleased to welcome Steve, an accomplished finance and accounting professional, to the Ace team,” said Guzik. “Steve brings a wealth of knowledge as a financial expert, not only in corporate accounting but also as a strategic partner to the dealer community. We look forward to working with Steve as he helps shape Ace’s ongoing results-focused strategic initiatives.”
Prior to joining Ace, Locanto had a 20-year career with Navistar International, most recently as assistant corporate controller, after serving as the controller of both the truck and parts segments. Concurrent with his controllership role at Navistar, Locanto served as the program director of the finance and accounting leadership development program. The initiative provided a job rotation program to develop the leadership skills and technical competence of 15 newly hired finance and accounting graduates every year.
Prior to his time at Navistar, Steve spent six years with Household International (now part of HSBC) as a Senior Internal Auditor, Financial Analyst and the Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis.
Locanto holds a Bachelor of Science degree from NIU College of Business’ nationally-recognized accountancy program. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Chartered Global Management Accountant and is a member of the Illinois CPA Society and the AICPA. Today, Locanto remains active in the ongoing career development of many aspiring professionals.
