Hallmark Logistics VP Delivers Cheer Every Day

By Dan Silvia

Every day is a holiday! Which translates into a lot of job security for Scott Collignon, Vice President of Logistics for Hallmark, the greeting card company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

Collignon, who earned his Master of Science in Leadership from Bellevue University in 2012, oversees all of Hallmark’s transportation network, it’s North America distribution, and fixture manufacturing facilities. He also leads the visual merchandising design team.

While the Christmas season is huge for Hallmark, it’s followed quickly by Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and, a Bellevue University favorite, graduation. Heck, every day is somebody’s birthday.

“The joy for me is really seeing our process of delivery and merchandising from start to finish. I get to be a part of the whole supply chain process here and help Hallmark make meaningful connections each and every day,” Collignon said.

Collignon has been in his position with Hallmark for close to two years following a nearly 12-year career with Cabela’s, the outdoor outfitter headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska. Collignon first became interested in Bellevue University through the school’s partnership with Cabela’s.

“I started leafing through Bellevue (University’s) offerings and landed on the leadership program,” he said. “Having come from the military, I had already learned a lot about leadership theories and practices and was interested in learning more.”

Once enrolled in the program, Collignon benefited from the mentorship of the late adjunct professor Kathryn Fenner, a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

“She was phenomenal,” Collignon said. “Working remotely, raising a family, having a full-time job – she understood the rigors of it all. She was very open to calls and conversations regarding projects. I could not have asked for a better experience based on where I was in my life.”

Collignon grew up in Madison, South Dakota and began his collegiate career at the University of South Dakota. In Vermillion, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, while also competing for the University’s track team throwing the discus. He was also a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

He joined the United States Army in 1992 and served for over 10 years -- including combat duty in Iraq in 2003. Collignon commanded a transportation company of over 260 soldiers in a hostile environment during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded a Bronze Star for his efforts.

“One thing that the military teaches you -- despite all the fancy equipment and all the technology -- it's still centered around people. If you learned how to lead people very early in your career that just carries over through any kind of career change that you make,” Collignon said. “It takes a servant-leadership mindset which is nothing more than I'm here to serve the folks that work for me and make their lives better. Then the mission or the job generally takes care of itself. I found that to be my guiding principle in any job, at any leadership level.”

Those leadership lessons were reinforced by his master’s program at Bellevue University. Collignon encouraged others to take advantage of the opportunities, as well.

“Bellevue University really understands the working adult, the working parent. They strive to make the learning opportunities and assignments flexible, achievable, and interactive,” Collignon said. “Bellevue University is a great place to learn and grow for working adults.”