In an industry where competition is fierce and standards are exacting, one leader stands out for transforming how government contracting work is done. As the CEO/president of HX5 has created a blueprint for modern federal contracting to thrive through effective and ethical leadership, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Her approach proves that when outstanding performance meets integrity, exceptional results follow.
Margarita Howard has distinguished herself through her unwavering dedication to authenticity and operational excellence. Her leadership has elevated HX5 in defense and space contracting, earning the firm recognition across these demanding sectors.
The company’s commitment to excellence runs deeper than typical organizational policies, permeating every aspect of its operational framework. Under Howard’s leadership, this approach champions the integration of different perspectives, viewing them as essential drivers of innovation and practical problem-solving. This commitment is evident in the company’s senior leadership demographics. “The majority of our management team are women,” says Margarita Howard. “All highly experienced with advanced education, degrees, and professional certifications in their respective fields.”
The company’s wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and expertise have been instrumental in winning prime government contracts. Within the federal contracting landscape, where 5% of contracting dollars are targeted for women-owned small businesses, HX5 can leverage its WOSB status to access specialized contracting opportunities. Yet achieving and maintaining success requires more than qualification for set-aside programs.
“Success is never guaranteed,” Howard says. “Regardless of whether HX5 is a women-owned company, we must always prove our ability to meet and exceed contract requirements and deliver value to the customer.” Like every competitor in the field, the company has earned its position through consistent performance, exceeding contract expectations, and establishing a proven track record of delivering value to government clients.
Howard has this advice for anyone interested in following in her footsteps: “You have to commit to a lot of hard work, and experience is very important. It just doesn’t happen.”
A Florida-based company, HX5 extends its reach across 34 states and 90 government sites, providing essential support for federal initiatives. The company has assembled a team of highly qualified professionals whose expertise and educational credentials enable them to tackle the multifaceted challenges of their customers’ mission-critical programs. HX5 consistently rises to meet its federal clients’ changing demands, transforming complex problems into opportunities for innovative problem-solving.
Margarita Howard: Building Success Through Effective Leadership
The company implements targeted recruitment strategies to attract talent from varied backgrounds, enriching its project teams with multiple perspectives from a wide range of education and experience. Success in their technical fields demands a workforce well versed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines and industry certifications, driving performance excellence and operational efficiency. Under Howard’s guidance, this take on building an inclusive team has distinguished the company within the traditionally male-centric government contracting space, where women continue to face significant professional hurdles.
HX5 prioritizes workforce development through educational programs that strengthen employee competencies across critical domains. Through targeted programs, the company ensures its workforce maintains cutting-edge expertise in managing complex assignments. This investment in employee growth has yielded significant returns, enabling HX5 to excel in high-stakes contracts by deploying its highly qualified team, whose advanced capabilities drive successful outcomes in mission-critical contract work.
Ethics remains a cornerstone of the firm’s organizational culture, with an unwavering focus on creating a team that exemplifies strong moral principles. Margarita Howard says, “We hold ourselves to the same high standards of performance and integrity that we expect of our employees.” This authentic commitment to leading with integrity has become a powerful magnet, drawing talented professionals who share the company’s dedication to excellence.
A meticulous method of talent acquisition sets HX5 apart in the government contracting sector. The company has earned recognition for its detailed recruitment strategy, particularly in identifying specialists with deep expertise in federal contracting. HX5 seeks candidates combining hands-on experience with advanced academic credentials in their specialized domains. Contract specifications drive the hiring process, with careful attention to personnel requirements. “The performance work statement will tell us what kind of personnel they will need and what their qualifications are,” Howard explains. This understanding guides HX5’s targeted search for professionals with the technical capabilities and educational background necessary for success. Rather than rushing to fill positions, the company invests time to identify and secure the most qualified candidates.
How HX5 Excels at Ethics and Excellence
HX5’s calculated approach has yielded impressive results, demonstrated by the long-term commitment of its workforce, with many staff members serving for more than 10 years. “We could not do what we do without them,” Margarita Howard says. She believes the company’s ongoing success stems directly from these committed professionals who share its core values and dedication to client satisfaction.
Howard has faced various obstacles throughout her tenure, including competitors who sometimes employ questionable practices in pursuing contracts. Instead of compromising her principles, these challenges have only strengthened her resolve to maintain the highest standards, confident that integrity yields lasting success.
This dedication to ethical conduct permeates every aspect of HX5’s operations. The company approaches its responsibilities, from documentation to government oversight, with unwavering attention to detail and compliance. “It’s important that a company’s records are impeccable when working with the government due to the compliance reporting and audits that companies have to agree to in order to perform on government contracts,” Howard explains.
Howard continues, “To be a successful government contractor, you have to invest time in researching and understanding your target market. You need to analyze government procurement trends, identify key decision-makers within agencies, and track upcoming opportunities through government procurement websites.”
The future of government contracting belongs to organizations that can attract and retain exceptional talent, and Howard’s strategic approach to recruitment has positioned the company at the forefront of this evolution. Through careful candidate selection that prioritizes technical expertise and ethical conduct, she has assembled a team capable of executing complex federal projects while maintaining unwavering standards. Under Margarita Howard’s leadership, the company demonstrates that excellence naturally follows when you build a team with the right skills, principles, and dedication.
