The story you are about to read is best appreciated as a work in – and about – progress. John J. Lombardi is a life-long resident and champion of Providence. From humble origins on De Pasquale Avenue, through service as our capitol city's mayor in 2002, to his tenure as president of the City Council and beyond, John is intimately familiar with the rich history of Providence, with its diverse cultures, challenges and opportunities, and with our shared potential for a truly great future. John lost his parents at an early age and was left to raise his younger brother, Frank. Despite these challenges, John went on to graduate from Mount Pleasant High School in 1970, and to earn a B.A. in Social Studies in 1975 and an M.E.D. in Secondary Education in 1982, both from Rhode Island College. In 1987 he graduated from Suffolk University College of Law with a J.D., and the same year was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar.   John’s understanding of the realities of urban public and private education is born of direct experience. He began his career teaching Social Studies at Notre Dame High School in Central Falls, and from 1975 through 1980 taught the same subject as a substitute teacher for the Providence School Department.   After being elected to the Providence City Council, John also served as legal counsel for the Rhode Island Senate Labor & Corporations Committees (1989-1992). His colleagues elected him to two four-year terms (1999-2006) as President of the City Council. Today, John still proudly represents the 13th ward, which includes West Broadway, the Armory District, Federal Hill and parts of Downtown. He resides in the city with his wife, Denise.

Which Brings Us to Today...

John's life story to date, in its celebration of challenges met and opportunities seized, profoundly mirrors the story of Providence. His innovative, impassioned, honorable political leadership is rooted in tradition even as it remains focused on the future. His commitments to the people and institutions of his neighborhood - and by extension, to the entire city of Providence - are cast in stone, and are not subject to ambition or the whims of chance. John does not view public service in Providence as a stepping stone on the path to "greater" endeavors, but rather as the capstone to his career. Rather, he continues to devote his professional life – and so many of his private endeavors – to re-envisioning and recreating Providence into the city we need, the city we want, the city we will have. All of which is best summarized in four words: John Lombardi for Providence

Service Distinctions

Deputy Majority Leader; Chairman of the Public Claims and Pending Suits and Public Properties Committees; Providence City Council; Member of the Providence Housing Authority; Ethnic And Racial Tolerance Commission; Civic Center Authority; and President Pro-Tempore of the City Council.

Neighborhood Advocacy

John’s deep interest in the well-being of the residents of the city of Providence is evidenced by his active engagement in myriad neighborhood organizations, including: the Federal Hill Commerce Association; the West Broadway Neighborhood Association; the Downtown Neighborhood Alliance; the Hospitality Resource Partnership; the Providence Nightlife Association; Federal Hill Crime Watch; the Federal Hill Knights of Columbus; Federal Hill Lions; the Sons of Italy; the Italo-American Club; Rhode Island Trial Lawyers Association; Young Lawyers Clerkship Program; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Social Committee; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Finance Committee.