A Kansas University graduate and longtime Hallmark engineer and manager will lead the greeting card company’s Lawrence manufacturing facility.

Hallmark Cards Inc. announced Tuesday that Mary Beth Brown had been chosen as production center manager for the Lawrence plant, taking over for Mark Garrett, who announced he was leaving the company. The change took effect immediately.

“Mary Beth is a valuable team member who has served Hallmark’s operations division in a variety of roles,” said Ray Powers, Hallmark’s vice president of manufacturing. “We know the Lawrence production center will benefit from her leadership.”

Brown in her new position will oversee one of the city’s largest work forces. The plant employs approximately 800 people and is the second-largest private employer in the city.

Kristi Ernsting, a Hallmark spokeswoman, said the change in leadership was prompted by Garrett’s decision to resign and pursue other career opportunities. Ernsting said the company didn’t anticipate major changes at the Lawrence plant.

“Mark Garrett represented Hallmark very well, and Mary Beth intends to continue representing Hallmark’s commitment to the community and the products we produce in Lawrence,” Ernsting said. “This really is all about Mark’s decision and the company responding to that.”

Most recently Brown had served as the director of Hallmark’s global supply chain. She’s been with the Kansas City, Mo.-based company since 1981 and has had a variety jobs at the company in engineering, business administration and technology management.

Brown, 44, received a masters of business administration from KU in 1985 and previously received an industrial engineering degree from Iowa State. She and her husband and two children live in Lenexa. Brown doesn’t plan to relocate in Lawrence but does intend to be active in the community, Ernsting said.

Garrett had served as the Lawrence production center manager since March of 2000. Ernsting said Garrett informed company officials last week of his plans to leave Hallmark.

“He said that it was time for him to consider other options more in line with his personal interests, but he said he very much enjoyed his time with Hallmark,” Ernsting said.

Both Garrett and Brown were out of the office and unavailable for comment Tuesday. Ernsting said she was uncertain whether Garrett had accepted a position with another firm.

Hallmark has operated a plant in Lawrence since 1958. The 650,000-square-foot facility manufactures ribbons, bows, invitations, stickers, and several styles of greeting cards, including the company’s Shoebox greeting card line.