AMERICAN SYSTEMS, a government IT solutions provider and one of the top 100 employee-owned companies in the U.S., is marking the 40th anniversary of its founding.
H. Thomas "Tom" Curran founded AMERICAN SYSTEMS (formerly American Communications Company) in 1975 with a focus on providing technicians to telecommunications firms.
In 1976, Curran joined forces with Forrest “Woody” Ramsey, and the company's initial focus was expanded to include systems engineering for U.S. submarines, primarily the TRIDENT class. Current CEO Peter Smith first joined AMERICAN SYSTEMS 35 years ago to work on the TRIDENT submarine program.
Today, the company is a broad-based provider of services and solutions to government customers in support of national priorities, with annual revenue of approximately $325 million.
“AMERICAN SYSTEMS harnesses an outstanding track record of employee commitment, distinguished financial and operational accomplishments and philanthropic endeavors,” said Smith. “We are proud to support our government customers in areas of national priority including acquisition and logistics, citizen safety, national security, C4ISR and readiness. We are now a prime contractor of choice and an established, innovative, and highly-regarded partner. ”
In 1990, Tom and Woody put in place the AMERICAN SYSTEMS Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and subsequently sold their remaining stock shares to the ESOP. AMERICAN SYSTEMS is now one of the largest majority-owned ESOP companies in the U.S. and will be marking its 25th year anniversary as an employee owned company in October of this year.
“Since becoming a majority-owned ESOP in 1997, our culture of employee ownership has allowed us to grow steadily, while at the same time, give back to the communities in which we live and operate,” said Smith. “Our 1,400 employee-owners are all in this together, and we have a collective dedication to our customers’ missions that will help ensure success for years to come. We know what’s at stake.”
AMERICAN SYSTEMS — A Timeline
2014 Wins Greater Washington Government Contractor Award for Government Contractor of the Year in greater than $300 million revenue category
2013 Named GSA Mentor of the Year 2013 Surpassed $300M in annual revenue
2012 SAIC Test & Evaluation Business Unit acquisition
2011 Wins first of four consecutive Northern Virginia Family Service CARE awards for providing family-friendly benefits and policies
2010 65,000 square foot national headquarters at Park Meadow Drive is inaugurated
2009 Recognized on Federal 100 list for second time in a three year period
2007 Wins Greater Washington Government Contractor Award for Government Contractor of the Year in $75M to $300M revenue category
2004 Surpassed $200M in annual revenue 2004 Digital Access Corp. acquisition
2004 True North Solutions acquisition 2003 Business Plus Corp. acquisition
2003 Surpassed $150M in annual revenue
2002 Thoughtmill Corp. acquisition
2001 Integrated Computer Engineering Corp. acquisition
2000 Surpassed $100M in annual revenue
1997 World-wide roll-out of cabling capability
1993 Surpassed $50M in annual revenue
1976 Secured first government contract, TRIDENT – Submarine Program
1975 Founded as American Communications Company
