Job hopping has become a defining trait of the Gen Z workforce, with a World Economic Forum survey showing 38 percent of Gen Z respondents likely to quit within a year, up four percentage points from the previous survey. Against that backdrop, Margarita Howard points to a detail that stands out several people at HX5 have worked there for 15 years or more.

Howard is the sole owner, CEO, and president of HX5, a Florida-based, service-disabled veteran and women-owned defense contractor supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. The company operates in 34 states across 90 government locations with a workforce topping 1,000, and it marked its 20th anniversary in 2024, a milestone that puts those long tenures in perspective.

Why People Stay

Howard has said, “some of them have been with us 15 years,” pointing to the mission-driven nature of the work as the reason employees stick around rather than chasing higher pay at a commercial tech firm. HX5’s programs support NASA missions and Department of Defense operations, work Howard argues carries more weight for many employees than a bigger salary alone.

That doesn’t mean HX5 has ignored what younger staff expect from an employer. The company has introduced hybrid work arrangements where security rules permit it and modernized internal tools, including instant messaging and project management platforms, to match how digital-native employees prefer to communicate. Most HX5 staff hold college degrees, and the company’s management team, largely made up of women, frequently holds advanced degrees as well.

A Different Kind of Retention Strategy

Rather than compete purely on compensation, Margarita Howard has leaned into stability and purpose as retention tools. In an industry where 82 percent of defense contractors report trouble finding qualified STEM workers, according to National Defense Magazine, keeping experienced staff in place has become almost as valuable as hiring new ones. For HX5, tenure has become a selling point in itself when recruiting the next generation. Visit this page for more information.

Find more information about Howard on https://dataconomy.com/2026/02/23/infrastructure-as-competitive-advantage-margarita-howards-early-investment-philosophy-at-hx5/