September 2002 to January 6, 2003 (Democrat)

Birthplace: Providence, Mayor John J. Lombardi, the 35th mayor of the City of Providence, began his term in office on September 6, 2002. Mayor Lombardi began his career in public service as a social studies teacher, and later served as director of the Providence Recreation Department. He was first elected to the Providence City Council in 1984 and has represented the 13th ward for the past 18 years. In January 1999 he was elected City Council President.

As a child growing up in the area of De Pasquale Avenue and lost both his parents at an early age, leaving him to raise his younger brother Frank.

He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1970 and went on to attend Rhode Island College where in 1975 he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Secondary Education Degree in 1982. In 1987 he graduated from Suffolk University College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate.

In 1976 he became social studies teacher at Notre Dame High School in Central Falls, and he worked as a substitute teacher of social studies for the Providence School Department for the years spanning 1975-1980. In 1984 John Lombardi became the director of the Providence Recreation Department. He worked as a paralegal at the DiLuglio Law Offices from1985 to1987.

Mayor John J. Lombardi Blue Ribbon Commission Press Confernce

After being elected to the City Council in 1984, Lombardi spent time assisting the Rhode Island Senate and serving as legal counsel for both the Senate Labor Committee (1987-1988), and for the Senate Corporations Committee (1989-1992). Aside from his continued success in his endeavors to better his district, Council President Lombardi has received numerous awards. His accolades include being named Knight of the Year by the Federal Hill Knights of Columbus, and received the "Outstanding Young Man of America Award" in 1987.

As one might expect he has been very active in the community over the years, serving the people of Providence in many different capacities. The positions he has held include: Democratic Majority Leader; Chairman of the Public Property Committee; Chairman of the Housing Committee; Chairman of the Claims Committee; member of the Education Committee; member of the Providence Housing Authority; member of the Ethnic and Racial Tolerance Commission; member of the Civic Center Authority; and a member of the Hospital Trust Community Bank Advisory Board; Chairman of the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits; President Pro-Tempore of the Providence City Council and most recently he was elected President of the City Council.

John Lombardi has demonstrated a deep interest in the well-being of citizens in his community, and has been active in a great many neighborhood organizations, such as: the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association; the West Broadway Neighborhood Association; the Federal Hill Crime Watch; the Federal Hill Knights of Columbus; the Federal Hill Lions; the Sons of Italy; the Italo-American Club; the Rhode Island Trial Lawyers Association; the Young Lawyers Clerkship Program; the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Social Committee; and the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Finance Committee.