Margarita Howard’s rise to prominence in the high-stakes world of government contracting is a testament to her experience, resilience, and strategic leadership. As the founder and leader of HX5, a major player in high-security government contracting, Margarita Howard offers a blueprint for navigating and thriving in a highly competitive and regulated industry.

A Strong Foundation in Military Service

Before launching HX5, Howard’s career began in the United States Air Force, where she gained valuable insight into military operations and culture. This foundation proved vital as she transitioned into civilian roles that would eventually shape her future success. After her military service, Howard rapidly ascended the ranks in management positions, always maintaining a focus on operational efficiency and leadership.

Howard recalls, “My first job was as a business center manager, and I was fortunate enough to advance quickly in my career. It was always through promotions into higher management positions, always focused on the organizations’ respective operations.” This early experience helped her develop the critical skills necessary to succeed in the complex world of government contracts.

Creating the Tricare Initiative

Howard’s trajectory took a significant turn when she joined a government contract aimed at transforming military health care—an initiative that led to the creation of Tricare, the military’s managed health care program. Tricare, a groundbreaking effort, represented a substantial shift from the previous system, Champus, which functioned more like an insurance policy rather than managed care.

Howard was a key player in the program’s implementation. She explained, “I was part of the implementation team when it was first introduced. Before that, the military’s care had never been managed. My role as area field manager in Florida quickly expanded to regional director, where I was responsible for seven states in the Southeast.”

Her responsibilities were broad, from ensuring that providers were integrated into the new network to maintaining communication with military leadership across various installations. Her ability to navigate the complexities of change management and work directly with stakeholders was critical to the program’s success. This experience laid the groundwork for her later ventures as a business owner.

Launching HX5: Leveraging SBA’s 8(a) Program

Howard’s next move was to establish her own company. After the success of her work with the military health care system, she felt equipped to start HX5. “I started to seriously consider starting my own business. I had seen it from the ground up,” she said, reflecting on her decision to become an entrepreneur.

A pivotal factor in HX5’s growth was Howard’s participation in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) program, which supports economically and socially disadvantaged business owners. As a first-generation American, Howard qualified for the program and found it to be a game changer for her new business. Within a year of gaining 8(a) certification, HX5 secured four government contracts, providing critical momentum to establish itself in the competitive world of high-security government contracting.

HX5’s Role in Government Contracting

Today, HX5 operates in nearly three dozen states, with over 90 locations supporting federal agencies, particularly within defense and space sectors. The company’s workforce, exceeding 1,000 employees, is instrumental in providing a broad range of services, from advanced research projects to hands-on mission support.

Under Howard’s leadership, HX5 has gained a reputation for delivering high-quality results in technologically demanding fields. “We prefer to hire experienced individuals, especially those who have worked with or supported NASA or the Department of Defense. This experience is always very helpful,” Howard noted.

The company’s ability to consistently secure large contracts reflects Howard’s sharp business acumen and dedication to excellence. She acknowledges that the work is challenging and costly, but also understands that it is this difficulty that sets HX5 apart. “What we do is not easy. If it were, everyone would do it,” she said.

Embracing Innovation and Looking Ahead

Howard is deeply committed to ensuring HX5 remains at the cutting edge of technological innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). HX5 not only supports the AI initiatives of its government clients but also implements AI within its own operations to drive efficiency and improve internal processes.

This dual focus on government support and internal innovation has positioned HX5 as a leader in high-tech solutions for defense and space projects. Howard’s success is built on her keen ability to anticipate and meet the needs of her clients while continually advancing her company’s capabilities.

Margarita Howard’s journey from military service to founding HX5 highlights her commitment to excellence, her resilience in the face of challenges, and her innovative approach to government contracting. Her participation in initiatives like Tricare and her success within the SBA’s 8(a) program have established her as a respected leader in the field. Today, HX5 continues to thrive under her leadership, providing vital support to government agencies while embracing cutting-edge technology to maintain its competitive edge.

As Howard proudly states, “Working side by side with civil servants and the military, supporting their missions, is a privilege. I love this business, and I’m extremely proud of it.”