Board of Directors

In addition to John C. Steckel, Vice Chairman, and Chris Braccio, the following independent members serve on the AMERICAN SYSTEMS Board of Directors.

Peter L. Smith, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Since joining AMERICAN SYSTEMS in 1980 as a test engineer, Mr. Smith held a series of technical and management positions of progressing responsibility throughout the Company, culminating in his appointment in 2014 to President and CEO. Throughout, he has been a leader in the identification and development of holistic solutions that meet customer needs and ensure successful support of our nation’s mission-critical priorities. Mr. Smith has been instrumental in advancing customer programs related to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and Department of State, among others. Following his retirement, Mr. Smith remained on the Company’s Board of Directors and was elected Chairman of the Board on September 6, 2023.

During his tenure as President and CEO, Mr. Smith oversaw significant growth across the Company.  Leveraging the full capability of the Company, he positioned AMERICAN SYSTEMS for expansion in strategic business areas including Healthcare and Defense. Through the identification, acquisition, and integration of two companies, he strengthened the Company’s commitment to U.S. Navy programs.  Prior to his appointment as President and CEO, Mr. Smith served as Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for the successful execution and implementation of AMERICAN SYSTEMS’ growth strategy through his oversight of business development and delivery of the Company’s strategic solutions in identified strategic business areas.

Prior positions held by Mr. Smith include Executive Vice President and General Manager, Vice President and Executive Director, Vice President of Engineering, Vice President and Director, Program Manager, and Systems Engineer.

Mr. Smith served in several industry leadership roles, including the Professional Services Council Executive Committee and Board of Directors and the Northern Virginia Technology Council Board of Directors, and he previously served as a member of the TechAmerica Public Sector Board of Directors. He was active in the Potomac Officers Club and served his community through his leadership and participation in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Fundraising Campaigns and the American Heart Association’s Heart Walks, among others.  In January 2018, Mr. Smith was named to the Wash100 list of influential leaders in the Government Contracting community by GovCon Executive for the third time since 2015.  And in August, 2020, Mr. Smith was named to Virginia Business Magazine’s inaugural Virginia 500 – The 2020 Power List.

Mr. Smith received a B.S. in Physics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from The George Washington University. 


Barry M. Broadus, Board Member, Audit & Finance Committee Chair

Patrick C. FitzPatrick

Mr. Broadus joined the AMERICAN SYSTEMS Board of Directors on September 18, 2017 and was appointed the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee. He also serves as a member of the Board’s Human Resources Committee. 

Mr. Broadus has more than 30 years of financial, executive, and management experience, which includes his most recent position as Chief Financial Officer of Constellis, a $1 Billion-plus leading security services firm. Mr. Broadus previously was the Chief Financial Officer with Alion Science and Technology and has held senior financial positions with industry leaders such as SAIC, and EDS after serving our country as a U.S Army Field Artillery Officer.

Mr. Broadus holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama.


L. Kenneth Johnson, Board Member, Human Resources Committee Chair

L. Kenneth Johnson

Mr. Johnson was elected to the AMERICAN SYSTEMS Board of Directors on September 25, 2006 and was appointed the Chairman of the Human Resources Committee on that same date.  He also serves as a member of the Board’s Audit & Finance Committee.

Mr. Johnson, currently associated with the INPUT Consulting Group, was the President of U.S. Operations for CACI International, Inc. He managed the company’s largest subsidiary unit, with primary operations in the federal solutions marketplace. Before joining CACI, Mr. Johnson was President and CEO of Tracor Enterprise Solutions (formerly Cordant) and a Senior Vice President with Planning Research Corporation, Inc. As a leader in the federal market for more than 20 years, Mr. Johnson has a wealth of experience in business development, mergers and acquisitions, and visibility enhancement in the federal marketplace.

Mr. Johnson has twice been named to Federal Computer Week’s Federal 100 list of top IT executives. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mr. Johnson served with the U.S. Army Infantry in Vietnam as a military advisor.