Charles Hawkins

Vice President, Army, Space & Civil Division, Engineering & IT Business Unit
SMX

Charles Hawkins
Vice President, Army, Space & Civil Division, Engineering & IT Business Unit, SMX

Q: Tell us about SMX and your role with the company. 

Our tradition of delivering innovative, technical solutions dates back to 1995; however, you may know us better by one of our legacy company names: Trident Technologies, Smartronix, Datastrong, or C2S Consulting Group. With the support of OceanSound Partners, our private equity investment sponsor, we began operating as one business starting in 2019 and became SMX in 2021. From technical consulting to embedded mission and programmatic support to next-gen managed services, we are both a platform and a capability enhancer for clients to achieve mission goals, no matter how expansive. I am the VP of our Army division which employs nearly 300 experts who are primarily based here in Huntsville. This division provides services and support to over 15 different customers on Redstone as well as many other locations throughout the U.S.

Q: What types of moves are you making in the Huntsville/ Madison County market?

Given the rapid growth occurring in the region, we have identified Huntsville as a key geography for the company. To date, Huntsville has the second largest concentration of SMX employees, and we’re excited to continue to grow and make a positive impact on the community. Our partnership with the Chamber and HREGI is a key part of that strategy. We have several contracts supporting a variety of programs within PEO-Missiles & Space, PEO-Aviation, and MDA.

Q: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your business recently, and how have you worked to overcome them? 

I think we all have struggled with managing our workforce over the past two years during the pandemic, but almost as challenging has been adapting to the post-COVID realities in this business. It’s a very competitive labor market. Salaries are on the rise as is inflation, so it can be difficult to attract the best talent. We have found that staying flexible with how we package offers and the work environment means a lot to folks.

Q: What would you say to other companies considering an investment in HREGI?  

I would highly recommend other organizations to join HREGI. Regardless of your standing in the Huntsville market, if you’re looking to grow and expand your business, it’s a great way to get connected. Whether you are just entering the market or have been here for years, the access that HREGI provides to potential clients, partners, and civic leaders is unmatched.

This article appears in the October 2022 issue of Initiatives magazine, a publication of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.