Margarita
Howard
President & CEO at HX5
About
Margarita Howard's professional career is marked by a distinguished tenure of over two decades in executive management, most prominently within the defense contracting sector, supporting the U.S. Department of Defense and related federal institutions. A pioneer in her field, Howard is the esteemed founder of HX5, LLC, a company specializing in providing professional engineering and technical services, where she has held the helm as President and CEO since the company was founded in 2004.
Under her guidance and visionary leadership, Howard has steered HX5, LLC to operational excellence. As the linchpin of the company's strategic planning, operational management, and financial success, with a hands-on approach to ensuring the company's adherence to the highest standards of corporate citizenship and ethical conduct, Howard's adeptness at navigating the competitive landscape, coupled with her commitment to organizational growth and industry innovation, has solidified her reputation as a leader in the field. Under her leadership, the company she started with only herself as the first employee, now has over 1,000 employees at 90+ locations, across 30+ states.
Prior to embarking on her entrepreneurial venture in starting her company, Howard's career trajectory saw her ascend through various leadership roles. At a previous company, she served as Vice President where she exercised comprehensive authority over a number of organizational areas, contributing significantly to the company's overarching objectives. Her tenure was marked by effective management, strategic decision-making, and key involvement in financial audits and government compliance.
Prior to holding a Vice President position, Howard's proficiency in human resources management was evident when she held the position of Director of Human Resources where strategic formulation of HR policies and proactive establishment of employee relations practices underscored her unwavering commitment to fostering a positive work environment and high employee morale.
Additionally, her professional experiences include working on a very large government contract where Howard held senior leadership positions as a Regional Director and Area Field Office Manager where her tenure and leadership was instrumental in contributing to the implementation and maintenance of the TRICARE program across the southeastern United States.
Prior to that, her foundational role as Business Center Manager showcased her ability to lead strategic planning, manage operations, and cultivate key relationships, contributing to the company's acquisition and financial success.
Howard's academic credentials are equally impressive, with a Master of Public Administration from Troy State University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of West Florida. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Howard's career is a blend of discipline, strategic acumen, and impassioned leadership. Her story is one of unwavering dedication to her customers, her business, and the personnel she leads, shaping a legacy that continues to influence the role of women-owned businesses in the defense contracting landscape.
Howard started HX5 in 2004 with the intention of developing the company into a highly respected professional services firm. Since that time, HX5 has grown to be an enterprise entrusted by its U.S. government clients to provide professional services focusing on research and development, engineering, and technical services support within the space and defense mission support services industry.
HX5 is, and always has been, 100% owned by Howard.
In 2012, she was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for accomplishments in growing HX5 by being awarded the 2012 SBA Minority Small Business Person of the Year for SBA National Region 4 and again in 2015 with the SBA North Florida Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year award.