April 2, 2026 – McLean, Va. – AMERICAN SYSTEMS, a leading provider of mission-essential and information engineering services to federal customers, is remembering the legacy and vision of company co-founder Forrest G. “Woody” Ramsey, Jr. following his passing on March 27, 2026.
Ramsey joined the company as President in 1976, working alongside founder H. Thomas “Tom” Curran to help shape the early direction of what was then American Communications Corporation. Together, they expanded the company’s focus to include systems engineering for U.S. submarines, primarily the TRIDENT program. As the business evolved, the company was renamed American Systems Corporation to better reflect its mission.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Ramsey began his Navy career aboard the USS Vesole (DDR-878) and later earned his Dolphins aboard the USS Grenadier (SS-525). After leaving active duty in 1957, he contributed to a number of important defense and technology efforts, including B-52G structural testing at Boeing, the Titan missile programs at Martin-Marietta, and early satellite communications systems at Computer Sciences Corporation. There, he went on to lead Navy contracts, including support for the Trident Command and Control System, as well as the Management Sciences Division.
In 1990, Messrs. Curran and Ramsey established the AMERICAN SYSTEMS Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and subsequently sold their remaining stock shares to the ESOP in October 1997. AMERICAN SYSTEMS is now one of the largest 100% employee-owned ESOP companies in the United States. Although retired for nearly three decades, Ramsey remained deeply connected to the company, taking pride in its growth and continuing success.
“Woody Ramsey helped build a successful company and a culture rooted in accountability, service, and commitment that continues to define AMERICAN SYSTEMS today,” said John Steckel, President and CEO. “We remember him with gratitude and admiration for the foundation he helped create and for the lasting impact he made on AMERICAN SYSTEMS employee-owners past, present, and future.”
AMERICAN SYSTEMS shares in the Ramsey family's grief and wishes to express deepest condolences to Ramsey’s family. A private interment will be held in Wichita.