The LeMieux Center for Public Policy at Palm Beach Atlantic University empowers inquisitive, dedicated students to think deeply about topics of public importance as they make powerful career connections.
The Center supports students through independent research projects and by bringing to campus respected thought leaders — including guest speakers such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former presidential speechwriter Peggy Noonan. These opportunities are made possible by the Center’s advisory board, which recently added a member.
MaryJo Finocchiaro is the newest appointee. Finocchiaro is president of InnFACT Advisors, LLC, a hospitality consulting firm. She brings more than 30 years of leadership experience working with private equity firms, publicly-held hotel and resort owners, and hotel and resort managers.
Through June 2020, Finocchiaro served as executive vice president and chief financial officer with BRE Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality advisory firm. She previously served as senior vice president — corporate finance.
Finocchiaro co-managed the company’s growth and was responsible for the financial oversight and operation of 165 luxury resorts and focus-service hotels. She also led the creation of the professional services hospitality platform for the Americas, including accounting, treasury, debt administration, real and personal property tax administration, income tax compliance, IT and innovation, financial planning and data analytics, risk management and human resources.
Previously, she served Boca Resorts, Inc., then a New York Stock Exchange-listed real estate operating company. She joined the company as director of capital markets and Securities & Exchange Commission reporting and later served as chief accounting officer.
From 1988 to 1997, Finocchiaro held several financial management positions for Bluegreen Corporation, then a NYSE-listed developer and marketer of resorts and planned residential/golf communities. She served as the corporation’s vice president, chief accounting officer and director of investor relations.
She began her career with Price Waterhouse. Finocchiaro holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and accounting from Alfred University.
