Originally from the Westbank of New Orleans, Louisiana, Lorenzo was educated in New Orleans Catholic Schools until his graduation from St. Augustine High School in 1971. He attended the University of Notre Dame and the University of Colorado on a football scholarship. After a brief stint in the Canadian Professional Football League, he returned to the United States to coach at a small college in Dallas, Texas.

In 1982, Lorenzo was indentured as an apprentice and completed his apprenticeship in December, 1985. He worked around the country including New York City, various locations in New Jersey and Denver, Colorado. In June, 1993, Lorenzo ran for, and was elected Vice-President of Local Union #130, I.B.E.W. He was appointed Organizer by Business Manager, Robert Hammond on October 1, 1993. His organizing duties include but are not limited to educating members and non-members about their rights as employees, organizing electricians to enable them to enjoy better pay, working conditions and paid benefits such as a health plan (for the entire family) and a pension plan (to provide dignity in their old age) as well as organizing non-union electrical contractors to enjoy the benefits of trained, skilled and qualified labor.