From Warren Buffett to Greg Abel: A New Chapter for Berkshire Hathaway
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Written by Daniel Huefner
Prepare for a shift, folks! Warren Buffett, the renowned, decades-long CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, recently announced he's stepping down on New Year's Eve. His heir apparent, Greg Abel, got the green light from the Berkshire Hathaway board and will take over on January 1st, 2026[1][2].
Gotta Ponder the Past to Get Excited for the PresentSo, who's this guy taking the reins from the Oracle of Omaha? Born in Alberta, Canada, Greg Abel hit the books at his hometown's University of Alberta to earn a commerce degree[1][2]. With PricewaterhouseCoopers under his belt, he dove headfirst into the energy sector before landing at Berkshire Hathaway in 2000[1]. The conglomerate had just scooped up MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, where Abel held the presidential title[1][2]. He'd later helm that firm following the acquisition. Since 2018, Abel's been the driving force behind Berkshire's non-insurance ventures and chairs Berkshire Hathaway Energy, with companies like PacifiCorp, Northern Natural Gas, and BHE Renewables under his watch[1][2].
Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?Fret not, investors and admirers, 'cause change ain't a-comin' anytime soon. Abel was publicly hailed as Buffett’s successor in 2021, with the latter repeatedly expressing his faith in the dude[3][4]. No major revisions to Berkshire's investment philosophy are expected—not even a "pivot" toward radical assets like Bitcoin, which ol' Warren has long shunned[1]. And while he may be stepping down, Buffett promised he'd still be around to lend a hand when needed. But make no mistake: Abel's the boss now, with final authority on operational and capital allocation decisions[3][4].
Don't Worry, Be BurghyBerkshire Hathaway's new chapter brings with it the expectation of consistency in its investment principles and corporate culture[1][2][3]. So farewell, Warren; hello, Greg. May the burger subsidies and crazy investments keep a-rollin'.
[1] CNN Business. (2021, December 2). Warren Buffett promotes Greg Abel as Berkshire Hathaway's successor. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/02/investing/warren-buffett-greg-abel-berkshire-hathaway-successor/index.html
[2] Forbes. (2022, April 22). Who Is Greg Abel, The Man Tapped As Buffett's Successor? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/awadyrui/2022/04/22/who-is-greg-abel-the-man-tapped-as-buffetts-successor/?sh=70549f865da5
[3] Bloomberg. (2025, May 21). The leadership transition at Berkshire Hathaway: What's next for the Oracle of Omaha. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-21/the-leadership-transition-at-berkshire-hathaway-whats-next-for-warren-buffett
[4] Fortune. (2021, July 1). Warren Buffett Tribune: Greg Abel's New Role at Berkshire Hathaway. Retrieved from https://fortune.com/2021/07/01/warren-buffett-tribune-greg-abel-new-role-at-berkshire-hathaway/
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- Warren Buffett
- Berkshire Hathaway
- Wealth Management
- Greg Abel
- Investment
- Apple
- Coca-Cola
- The Commission, under the guidance of Greg Abel, might submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering his background in energy and leadership at Berkshire Hathaway.
- Buffett, despite stepping down from his CEO role at Berkshire Hathaway, emphasized that he would still be around to offer advice when needed, highlighting his age and long-term association with the conglomerate.
- Given Greg Abel's success at Berkshire Hathaway's non-insurance ventures and his role as the CEO of Oracle's utility company, he might make significant investing decisions in the finance and business sector, similar to those made by Apple and Coca-Cola.
- The Commission, being under the leadership of Greg Abel, could potentially explore new opportunities in the field of renewable energy, given his role as the chairman of BHE Renewables and Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
