Class of '87 Hall of Fame Inductees

Anthony "A.J." Loprete, III '87
Distinguished Alumnus

Although A. J.  Loprete isn’t striding the halls of Minuteman High School in Lexington anymore, he has never forgotten the value his years there had in terms of his personal and professional development. “Minuteman is never far from my mind,” Mr. Loprete said. “It’s so much a part of how I got to where I am.” Now the principal at North Reading High School (he is married and the father of two children), this Arlington native who lives in Concord graduated from Minuteman in 1987.

A drafting student at Minuteman, Mr. Loprete worked at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington as a co-op job during his senior year. After graduating from Minuteman, he attended Purdue University in Indiana, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education.

In 1991, Mr. Loprete became a long-term substitute at Minuteman in drafting, taught history, and got into coaching. In fact, coaching meant so much to him that he coached football for 20 years in various schools including Concord-Carlisle High School and Matignon High School in Cambridge.

Mr. Loprete left Minuteman in 2007 to be assistant principal at Littleton High School where he spent three years, one as interim principal. He arrived at Littleton High with an accomplishment-packed resume (including a master’s degree in education from Cambridge College and licensure as a school administrator from the Educational Collaborative, or EDCO, in Waltham) that spanned 15 years in secondary education, a fact that was probably not lost on those who hired him at North Reading High School as assistant principal, a post he held from 2010 to October 2014, when he was named principal. “Minuteman is so much a part of how I got to where I am. It was the people there who made the difference for me.” 

Mark Downey ‘87
Distinguished Alumnus

Mark Downey is an exceptional individual who has not only excelled in his career but also remained deeply committed to Minuteman, where his journey towards excellence began. As the Director of System Packaging Engineering at Analog Devices, with over $12 billion in revenue and approximately 25 thousand employees worldwide, his achievements and contributions are truly commendable. Among his many accomplishments, Mark co-developed groundbreaking technology that advanced Digital X-ray and CT imaging platforms, generating over $250 million in revenue. He delivered the keynote address at the International Symposium of Microelectronics in 2019, holds multiple patents, and has been published in various technical journals and magazines.

After Minuteman, Mark completed an Electrical Engineering degree at UMass Lowell. His career as a micro-electronic hardware technologist in the semiconductor industry took shape during his college years, where he worked part-time jobs and gained valuable experience. During his junior year at UMass Lowell, Mark displayed his determination and creativity by approaching a local company with a unique proposal. He convinced them to create a volunteer position for him, allowing him to support engineering projects while building his problem-solving skills. This innovative approach not only benefited the company but also paved the way for him to secure a full-time paid position upon graduation, a remarkable achievement in a challenging job market.

Most of Mark’s experience and training relevant to his current profession were acquired on the job. He has taken additional courses over the years, but most of his expertise was developed through hands-on experience. He has worked for prestigious companies in the industry, positioning himself to tackle complex problems and continuously learns from both successes and failures.

Mark has faced numerous professional challenges throughout his 30-year career, with staying relevant in a rapidly changing industry being one of the most significant. To address this, he emphasizes the importance of regular reflection, honesty with oneself, and adapting to evolving professional goals. Change can be challenging, but it is often necessary to maintain relevance in a dynamic field.

While at Minuteman, Mark was fortunate to have mentors who played a significant role in his success. Ron Spzila, the lead Electronics shop department head, helped him to see the connection between academic studies and becoming a proficient engineer. Steve Fernandes, his Varsity Soccer coach, demonstrated successful leadership, turning a failing soccer program into one of the greatest teams in Minuteman’s history in just a few years.

It was at Minuteman where he discovered his passion for engineering, transforming his view of education from a chore into an inspired pursuit of essential skills that would enable him to become the best engineer he could be. This new mindset provided a solid foundation for his college studies and future career.

Looking back, Mark is immensely grateful for the exceptional teachers and the environment at Minuteman. His advice to aspiring individuals considering a similar path is to set goals, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, learn from failures, seek mentors, and remain open to help from others.