Frost

Brown

Sixteen years after she started work for Hallmark Cards Inc. at its plant in Lawrence, Shannon Frost is set to return as the operation’s top boss.

Frost starts May 1 as general manager for the 650,000-square-foot production center at 101 McDonald Drive, where the company has 800 employees. The plant produces 40 percent of Hallmark’s cards, including the entire Shoebox line, plus an array of ribbons, bows, stickers, invitations and thank-you cards.

Frost joined Hallmark in 1991 as an engineer in Lawrence, then worked her way up to serve as the plant’s process improvement engineering manager, quality manager and production manager.

She has been at corporate headquarters since 2001, including her latest posting as business services director for Hallmark’s party/gift wrap business unit.

“Shannon is familiar with the Lawrence plant operations, employees and community from her experience there early in her career,” said Ray Powers, Hallmark’s operations vice president for product solutions, in an interview last month. “She will bring great insight and leadership to this management role.”

Frost takes over for Mary Beth Brown, who is being promoted to vice president for product solutions at Hallmark headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., where she will oversee production from Hallmark’s plants in Lawrence, Leavenworth, Topeka and Toronto, Canada.

Brown, who had managed the Lawrence plant since 2003, is moving into part of the role being vacated by Powers, who is retiring June 1.

Frost earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Missouri, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Kansas University.

Last year Hallmark transferred about 125 jobs out of its Leavenworth plant and into Lawrence, where the company has had operations since 1958. The Lawrence plant also handles production of cards that require special processes, described as die cut, flitter, flock and foil stamp.

The Lawrence plant also typically handles production of the annual White House holiday card, including last year’s order of 1.5 million cards.