Alexandria, VA—Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA), Inc. is pleased to announce that Michelle Howell has joined the executive leadership team as Chief Human Resources Officer.

Ms. Howell will oversee efforts to attract, retain, and develop SPA’s growing workforce on three continents. She brings over two decades of experience shaping domestic and international talent strategies for several defense contracting companies while in senior leadership positions.

Ms. Howell is known for creating and strengthening a people-focused workplace culture and accelerating the digital work experience. Recognized for her leadership roles in workforce development and scaling HR functions, Ms. Howell counts among her professional accolades a special focus on women in leadership, employee engagement initiatives, and leadership development programs. She is an active member of the national Society for Human Resource Management and is also active in numerous charities and community programs.

SPA President and CEO William Vantine commented, “Since day one of SPA’s 50-year history, our people have been our greatest asset. The values we share as we assist our clients with complex national security decisions continue to attract incredibly talented professionals. Adding Michelle to the team enables us to deepen our investment in the employee experience during a key time in SPA’s expansive growth.”