Westford entrepreneur Robert Walker helped Nashoba Valley Technical High School celebrate its 45th birthday on Wednesday as part of the school’s Excellence in Education Gala.
Walker, a transfer to Nashoba Tech in 1979, helped induct the first 51 people and institutions into Nashoba Tech’s Hall of Honor.
“I knew the direction I wanted to go wasn’t the traditional route to high school,” Walker said during the event. “In 1979, the Tech had a slight reputation of being not for the smartest kids, and I was glad to prove everyone wrong.”
Walker entered the Electronics program. After he graduated in 1982, he earned his journeyman electrician’s license. In 1987, he started his own electrical business, which still operates today.
Since 1994, Walker has also worked in the world of real estate development, serving today as principal of Lan Drive’s RA Ventures.
During his career, he has developed over 40 buildings from Beverly to Falmouth, including Westford’s Cornerstone Square.
Nashoba Tech Superintendent Judith Klimkiewicz, one of the inductees along with Walker into the Hall of Honor, also shared words during the event.
“Nashoba Tech is always thinking of the present and the future in the context of education and career training,” Klimkiewicz said. “But it’s also important sometimes to look backward. Many lessons can be learned from the past.”
In addition to Klimkiewicz and Walker, the other inductees included
- Retired staff members Pamela Anderson, Tony Cerra, Frank Connell, Ed Gill, George Kalarites, Victor Kiloski, Thomas Lafionaitis, William Lekas, Shirley Lowry, David McLaughlin, Bernie Nystrom, Charles Pentedemos, Paul Royte, Claudia Saball and Peggy Ward.
• School Committee members, both past and present, Jerri Bozicas, Al Buckley, Ellen Hargraves, Robert Hargraves, Ralph Hulslander, Augustine “Whitey” Kish, Hajo Koester, Irene Machemer, Kevin McKenzie, Joan O’Brien, Samuel Poulten, Sandy Proctor, Jennifer Rhodes, Garry Ricard, Ann Roche, Sharon Shanahan, Ben Wales and Richard White.
• Current staff members Carol Heidenrich, Irene Hulslander, Scott Lahue, Timothy McDonald, Matthew Ricard, Steve Whiting and Barbara Whitney.
• Business partners Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, Juniper Networks, Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank, MacKay Hardware, Richard Nagle of Raytheon, Nashoba Valley Ski Area, School Street Light Truck Parts and Westford Earth Materials.
• Alumni Moses McCall
The gala was part of a celebration that began last June and will culminate on June 6 with a commencement by Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.
You must be logged in to post a comment.