Government contractors have a reputation for slow-moving bureaucracy, and Margarita Howard knows that reputation can cost her company talent. Howard, sole owner, CEO and president of HX5, has spent recent years updating internal systems to feel less like a relic and more like the tools Gen Z already uses daily.

“Gen Z thrives in digital-native environments,” Howard said, explaining why HX5 modernized internal communication to include instant messaging and interactive project management platforms. The Florida-based company supports NASA and the Department of Defense across 34 states and 90 sites, with a workforce of more than 1,000 employees. Howard says the shift required retraining longer-tenured staff alongside new hires so every team used the same updated systems consistently.

Security Without Sacrifice

Margarita Howard is careful to note that modernization has limits. “We have to do that,” she said of maintaining strict security standards even while introducing hybrid work models where feasible, a balance she considers non-negotiable in classified or sensitive environments across HX5’s many program sites.

Gen Z employees, raised on instant feedback and fast software updates, can find the pace of federal compliance frustrating. Howard’s answer has been to modernize what she can control, internal tools and scheduling flexibility, while leaving clearance timelines and security protocols untouched and firm. She says being upfront about that distinction during interviews prevents new hires from feeling blindsided once they encounter the slower pace of federal approvals.

A Long-Term Bet

That approach has helped HX5 retain staff for over a decade in some cases, Margarita Howard says, suggesting the balance between modern tools and traditional discipline resonates even with a generation known for changing jobs quickly and often.

Howard notes that most HX5 employees hold college degrees, giving the company a technically fluent workforce that adapts easily to new internal software. That baseline of education, paired with modern tools, has made the transition to digital-native workflows smoother than at some peer contractors. Refer to this article to learn more.

Find more information about Howard on https://www.finsmes.com/2026/01/margarita-howard-on-how-hx5s-defense-origins-launched-its-expansion-into-nasa-contracting.html