Background
Finizio was born in Westerly, Rhode Island.
Finizio was born in Westerly, Rhode Island.
An alumnus of the University of Rhode Island, Finizio served as the first openly gay student body President, as well as a student delegate to the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education. During his time at URI, he was the recipient of the prestigious Harry South. Truman Scholarship, awarded to students who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to public service. After graduating from URI, Finizio went on to attend the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University, where he received a master"s degree in Public Administration.
At this time, he also worked for the New York City Council as a criminal justice policy analyst.
In 2005, Finizio received his Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University. He is currently a licensed attorney in both the State and Federal courts in Rhode Island and Connecticut, as well as licensed to practice in front of the United States Supreme Court.
While serving on the town council, he received a full merit fellowship to attend Northeastern University for a Doctor of Philosophy program in the Department of Law and Public Policy. While Studying and teaching at Northeastern University, Finizio moved to New London, Connecticut, where he was elected Mayor in 2011.