Peter Smith to Retire as American Systems CEO, John Steckel Named Successor

American Systems President and CEO Peter Smith is set to retire on Sept. 5 after a 43-year career with the company and will be succeeded by John Steckel, vice president of corporate development.

Smith, a three-time Wash100 winner, will continue to be part of American Systems’ board of directors after he steps down from the dual role, the engineering and information technology contractor said Monday.

Board Chairman Bill Hoover touted Smith’s leadership skill, energy and integrity over the past nine years.

“As CEO, he has led our employee-owners to seven straight years of record highs in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan share value. His impact will be long-lived,” Hoover said of the outgoing chief executive.

Steckel will officially take the helm at American Systems on Sept. 6. He joined the company in June 2018 as VP of business development and was elevated to his current role in April 2022.

His industry experience includes senior business development roles at Vencore, Raytheon and BAE Systems‘ U.S. arm.

A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Steckel served as Navy flight officer before joining the private sector.

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