At HX5, women hold most of the management positions, a point of pride for the company’s leader. The firm marked its 20th anniversary in 2024.
Margarita Howard, sole owner, CEO, and president of the Florida-based firm, described her team in a recent interview. “In fact, the majority of our management team is comprised of women, all very experienced in their respective areas, and many holding advanced degrees as well,” she said.
An Educated Workforce
HX5 is a service-disabled veteran and women-owned contractor that provides STEM-focused support services to NASA and the Department of Defense. Most of its more than 1,000 employees hold college degrees. They work across 34 states and at 90 government locations, often in roles that require security clearances.
Hiring for those roles is difficult. National Defense Magazine reported that 82% of companies in the defense industrial base struggle to find qualified STEM workers, and Howard acknowledges that highly specialized positions are especially tough to fill. Those jobs demand a rare blend of technical skill, clearance eligibility, and specialized expertise. She favors candidates who have previously supported NASA or the Defense Department.
Welcoming a New Generation
Margarita Howard is also thinking about Generation Z, the cohort born between 1997 and 2012. Johns Hopkins University research projects that the generation will make up about 30% of the workforce by 2030. “We’re excited about Gen Z,” she said, noting that HX5 has tried to adapt to younger workers’ needs.
Those adaptations include hybrid schedules where security rules permit, instant messaging and interactive project management platforms, and early adoption of artificial intelligence. Culture matters to this group too: a Deloitte study found 77% of Gen Z respondents consider it vital to work for organizations that share their values.
Long tenures suggest the HX5 model works for many employees. Some have stayed 15 years, a record that gives its experienced leadership a strong foundation for recruiting the next wave of talent. Refer to this article for related information.
Find more information about Howard on https://dataconomy.com/2026/02/23/infrastructure-as-competitive-advantage-margarita-howards-early-investment-philosophy-at-hx5/
