In the competitive landscape of federal government contracting, few names stand out like Margarita
Howard. As the founder and CEO of HX5, Howard has demonstrated exceptional
leadership and strategic acumen, transforming her company into a trusted
provider of mission-critical services for federal space and defense agencies.
Founded in 2004, HX5 specializes in a range of professional services, including software and hardware engineering,
mission operations support, IT, research, and development. Under Howard’s
leadership, the company has grown significantly, establishing a strong
reputation for quality and reliability.
One of the critical milestones in HX5’s history was its entry into the Small Business
Administration’s 8(a) program. This nine-year program provided the company with
the mentorship and opportunities needed to secure substantial contracts,
propelling its growth. Howard’s strategic foresight ensured that HX5 was not solely reliant on these contracts, positioning the company to
compete successfully in the broader market.
Howard’s background in military healthcare management provided her with unique insights into
government contracting. Margarita Howard played a pivotal role in implementing Tricare, the Department of
Defense’s Military Health System program. This experience laid the foundation
for her approach to building HX5, emphasizing the importance of compliance,
strategic investment, and strong team dynamics.
Today, HX5 operates in 34 states, with over 1,000 employees. Howard attributes much of this success
to her dedicated team, many of whom have been with the company for over a
decade. Her commitment to diversity, particularly in promoting women to
leadership roles, reflects her inclusive approach to management.
In 2012, the U.S. Small Business Administration honored Margarita Howard with the Minority Small
Business Person of the Year award for SBA National Region 4, followed by the
North Florida Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year award in 2015.
These accolades underscore her significant contributions to the field and her
unwavering dedication to excellence.
Read this article for more information.
Learn more about Margarita Howard on https://www.apnnews.com/margarita-howards-insight-into-hx5s-competitive-edge-in-government-contracting/