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Beard Land & Investment Co. recently named Ronald Jackson president and chief executive officer, according to a news item posted on the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s web site. He will oversee the company and its subsidiaries, which include the Modesto & Empire Traction Co. (M&ET) — a short line that operates in the 2,000-acre Beard Industrial District in Modesto, Calif. — and Beard Land Improvement Co.

Jackson will succeed Joseph Mackil, who plans to retire at July’s end. In 2004, Mackil became the first top executive at Beard Land since 1926 that wasn't a member of the Beard family, which owns the company.

Jackson most recently was chief operating officer for Bill Gates Investments in Seattle and managed the Gates' family office. He previously spent 20 years in the energy and chemicals industries, including various stints with the Amoco Corp., Occidental Petroleum and The BOC Group.

M&ET operates about 40 miles of mainline, yard and industry tracks, including 28 miles of industry track serving the Beard Industrial District. The short line interchanges with BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad.