The Rise of Greg Abel: Who's Really Running Berkshire Hathaway Now?

From Obscurity to the Corner Office

When Warren Buffett stepped back as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway on January 1, Greg Abel moved from the wings into the spotlight—but most people still don’t know who he is. While Buffett enjoys celebrity status and global recognition, his successor has maintained an intentionally low profile. This warren buffet news story isn’t about the legendary investor himself, but about the quiet executive who’s now steering a $1 trillion enterprise.

Abel joined the Berkshire ecosystem in 2000 when Buffett acquired MidAmerican Energy, where he was already a key figure. Over the next two decades, he climbed the ranks methodically: managing MidAmerican’s operations, earning promotion to vice-chairman of non-insurance businesses in 2018, and finally appearing alongside Buffett at public forums starting in 2020. Unlike his predecessor’s media-savvy approach, Abel has chosen to speak primarily during Berkshire’s annual shareholder meetings, offering glimpses into his thinking through carefully measured statements.

The Philosophy That Shaped Him

What emerges from analyzing Abel’s public comments is a leader deeply committed to preserving what Buffett and late partner Charlie Munger built. He views Berkshire not as a company to revolutionize, but as an “extraordinary organization” to steward. Abel has consistently emphasized the owner-mentality embedded in Berkshire’s corporate DNA—the idea that business unit managers think like proprietors, not employees.

His investment approach mirrors Buffett’s doctrine precisely: buy only what you genuinely understand, treat every stock purchase as acquiring an entire business, scrutinize long-term value over short-term gains, and maintain the discipline to wait for opportunities rather than chase them. At Berkshire’s 2024 shareholder gathering, Abel reassured investors that capital allocation principles remain untouched—signaling continuity over disruption.

Leadership Style: Hands-On, Not Hands-Off

Abel has offered one candid admission that distinguishes him from Buffett: his management approach is more directly involved. While Buffett famously operated with a light touch, Abel engages more actively in operational decisions. He’s framed this not as a departure, but as an evolution—a more engaged leadership style that he believes will benefit the organization.

This hands-on philosophy extends to learning from failures. Abel has publicly acknowledged missteps like BNSF Railway’s tribal land issues and PacifiCorp’s wildfire preparedness gaps, treating them as teachable moments rather than defensive moments. He emphasizes the importance of continuous reading—devouring materials on Berkshire’s business units, their competitive landscapes, emerging risks, and potential disruptions.

The Man Behind the Role

Abel’s compensation reflects his new stature: $25 million annually. Yet he’s revealed surprisingly little about his personal life. What he has shared suggests a man who defines success by his relationships: he hopes to be remembered as a devoted father and mentor to young athletes in hockey and baseball—coaching isn’t just a hobby but a core part of his identity.

His daily routine centers on intellectual preparation. Unlike executives who rely on briefing books, Abel immerses himself in deep reading about Berkshire’s ecosystems, studying everything from market dynamics to potential disruptions. He credits hard work and a genuine desire to contribute as the real accelerants of achievement.

The $1 Trillion Question

Abel doesn’t underestimate the weight of his new position. He’s expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to lead a company valued at $1 trillion and to have spent a quarter-century alongside Buffett and other Berkshire luminaries. Like Buffett’s famous quip about “tap dancing to work,” Abel has suggested that discovering an organization as exceptional as Berkshire makes each day inherently rewarding.

The critical question now: Can Abel maintain Berkshire’s legendary stability and performance in his own distinct way? Early signals suggest he understands the stakes. He’s positioned himself as the natural heir to carry forward Buffett and Munger’s legacy while introducing his own leadership cadence. Shareholders are watching closely as the spotlight shifts from Omaha’s most famous investor to the executive who must now prove he can lead without him.