MADISON — The University of Wisconsin-Madison E-Business Institute recognized John D. Baumann, CEO of Colony Brands, as its 2019 UWEBI Distinguished Fellow.
The UWEBI Distinguished Fellow Award honors visionaries who have led significant achievements and advancements in information technology and e-business.
Baumann, a UW-Madison alumnus, began his career at Colony Brands (then called Swiss Colony) as a summer employee in the mailing department in 1976. He has served in numerous roles, including the manager of new customer development, director of marketing, senior vice president of strategic planning, and many more, before becoming president and CEO in 1996.
Additionally, Bauman has served on the board of directors of the University of Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association since 2009 and received a distinguished service award from the university’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications earlier this year.
He joins the ranks of executives Marsha Lindsay, Marissa Mayer, John Morgridge, Dale Nitschke, T.K. Rengarajan and Peter Sachse, who have all been named UWEBI Distinguished Fellows in the past.
“Under John’s leadership as president and CEO for more than two decades, Colony Brands has flourished into a renowned and formidable catalogue and online retailer,” said Dr. Raj Veeramani, UWEBI Founder and Executive Director. “Colony Brands’ success with e-commerce is a testament to the company’s commitment to and excellence in leveraging digital technologies and data analytics.”
At the 21st UWEBC Business Best Practices & Emerging Technologies Conference, Veeramani presented Baumann with the award in front of more than 850 conference attendees.
“What honors me most today is to accept this award on behalf of so many talented, passionate and truly wonderful coworkers, both past and present of Colony Brands,” said Baumann. “Each and every one of those people have earned a piece of this award today.”
Baumann emphasized the value his company finds as a longtime member of the UWEBC.
“The work done, the ideas shared, the networks created within this consortium are critical to the development of leaders that will drive our member companies in what surely will be both a time of both challenge and unmatched opportunity,” said Baumann.
