Modesto's largest industrial park and its short line railroad company has named a new chief executive officer and president. Ronald S. Jackson will take charge of the Beard Land & Investment Co. and its subsidiaries, the Modesto & Empire Traction Co. and Beard Land Improvement Co.
Jackson, who was selected following a national search that started last fall, will replace Joseph D. Mackil. Mackil will retire at the end of July after nine years with the company.
"We are pleased to have Ron Jackson join our management team," said Richard Sipos, Beard's chairman of the board. "We were seeking a senior executive possessing strong operational and financial skills, with demonstrated success running a family-owned business. Ron's background precisely fit our requirements."
Jackson had been the chief operating officer for Bill Gates Investments in Seattle, and he also managed the Gates' family office. During the last five years, he has run a management consulting business, helping clients with growth plans and funding strategies.
Previously, Jackson spent 20 years in the energy and chemicals field, working for the Amoco Corp., Occidental Petroleum and The BOC Group.
Jackson and his wife, Laurie, will relocate to Modesto from Mercer Island, Wash.
Beard Land is part of the Beard Industrial District properties comprising approximately 2,000 acres of commercial and industrial property southeast of Modesto. It operates more than 30 warehouses. Its industrial district is served by the century-old railway system.
Thousands of people work in that area, which includes the E.&J. Gallo Winery, Gallo Glass Co., California Fruit & Tomato Kitchens, Central Valley Ag Grinding, Del Monte, Frito-Lay, Georgia Pacific, A. L. Gilbert Co., Kraft General Foods, Nick Sciabica & Sons, Pacific Southwest Container, Seneca Foods, Silgan Container and Stanislaus Food Products.
After six generations of Beard family ownership, the corporation has more than 180 shareholders. Besides the short line railroad and the industrial district, the corporation owns several industrial property development and leasing companies.
Mackil was the first non-family member to run the Beard corporation. Under his leadership, the company grew, changed and diversified its real estate holdings, and expanded its rail and transload operations.
"The board sincerely thanks Joe for his dedicated service to the company and wishes Joe and his wife, Suzanne, much happiness in their retirement," Sipos said.
The company said Mackil and Jackson will work together during June and July to ensure a seamless management transition and operational continuity.
Bee staff writer J.N. Sbranti can be reached at jsbranti@modbee.com or (209) 578-2196.
RSS
E-Mail
Print
reprint or license
