Who is Greg Abel, Buffett's chosen successor? Can he continue the legend of the "Oracle of Omaha"?

According to the Zhitong Finance APP, the "Investment 界春晚" is about to take place. Warren Buffett will hold the annual Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A.US) shareholder meeting at 8 a.m. local time on March 3 (9 p.m. Beijing time). Many people are focusing on how this "stock god" will respond to the recent U.S. tariff policies and Berkshire's future investment strategies.

However, with Buffett nearing retirement, a significant number of investors are also very concerned about his successor—Greg Abel's past and what it means for Berkshire's future.

Successor Confirmation

For many years, who will succeed Buffett at the helm of Berkshire has always been the most captivating mystery in the investment world. At the annual shareholder meeting, Buffett and his golden partner Charlie Munger always respond to inquiries with their signature humor: "The board has selected a successor, but the name is confidential."

The turning point came during the online shareholder meeting on May 1, 2021. At the age of 97, Munger inadvertently revealed during the pandemic that "Greg will continue our culture." This seemingly casual remark instantly unraveled the succession puzzle that had troubled Wall Street for decades. Investors immediately realized that this promising "Greg" was none other than Greg Abel, who oversees Berkshire's non-insurance business empire.

Buffett later confirmed in an interview that the 62-year-old Abel would become Berkshire's next CEO.

Who is Greg Abel?

This business leader, who is about to steer a $700 billion empire, has always maintained a low profile. He rarely gives interviews, and his few important public appearances have been at Berkshire's annual shareholder meetings. However, after speaking with those who know him best, Abel's leadership qualities become clear. He possesses both a wise mind and a friendly personal charm, making him approachable yet formidable in the boardroom.

Abel grew up in a modest family in Edmonton, Canada. His mother was a homemaker who occasionally worked as a legal assistant, while his father sold fire extinguishers. During his childhood, the family often struggled to make ends meet. Young Abel displayed a talent for business early on: from delivering flyers door-to-door, to collecting discarded soda bottles, to helping fill fire extinguishers at his father's factory, he always found a way out of difficulties.

This resilience and wisdom have accompanied him throughout his career. Professor Larry Cunningham, who has studied Buffett for many years, describes Abel as a person "with exceptional intelligence" who "does not make others feel alienated" and does not make others feel inferior to him. He is also praised for his humble character and dedication to helping those in need.

Builder of the Energy Empire

Abel's connection with Berkshire began in 2000. After obtaining a business degree from the University of Alberta in 1984, Abel started his career as an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. After joining the small power company CalEnergy in 1992, he demonstrated remarkable potential, rising to the position of president in just six years. Under his leadership, CalEnergy expanded its business through acquisitions, acquiring MidAmerican Energy and renaming the company after it, which was subsequently acquired by Berkshire in 2000, making Greg a valuable aide to Buffett It is worth noting that this company is the predecessor of Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) today.

After taking charge of BHE in 2008, Abel demonstrated extraordinary strategic vision, expanding the business into diverse fields such as utilities, pipeline transportation, and new energy. Today, BHE's annual revenue reaches $270 billion, surpassing Microsoft and Chevron, and it ranks among the top ten in the Fortune 500. Through his efforts, Abel has earned Buffett's full trust, showcasing a leadership style based on cautious decision-making and a knack for discovering value without taking excessive risks. Buffett praised this protégé, calling him "a smart person who will never do anything foolish."

Despite Abel's steady leadership, Berkshire's performance in recent years has not been particularly outstanding. Over the past decade, the company's performance has lagged behind the S&P 500 index, contrasting sharply with its previous glory of outperforming the market by an average of 10 percentage points from 1965 to 2003. Former Honeywell CEO Dave Cote candidly stated that this poor performance reflects a broader concern: "The only reason for a diversified conglomerate to exist is to outperform the S&P 500."

In response, Buffett, who still holds 30% of the voting rights, has long been preparing. He amended his will to donate most of his assets to charity, building a moat to defend against potential aggressive investors' "attacks" for his successors. Although Berkshire's size deters acquirers, the trend of gradually dispersing equity structure will become a challenge that Abel must face in the era ahead.

Future Vision: Balancing Preservation and Innovation

Although often compared to Buffett, Abel has actually pioneered a unique management philosophy. His emphasis on sustainable development and infrastructure investment, particularly in the renewable energy sector, highlights his distinctive strategic vision. Under his leadership, BHE has become the largest wind power operator in the United States and has made significant investments in solar and wind projects. On Earth Day 2024, he proudly announced that wind energy provides 100% of the electricity for MidAmerican's 800,000 customers in Iowa.

Unlike Buffett's "hands-off management" style, Abel is also known for his attention to detail. Jim Weber, former CEO of Brooks Running, recalled that Abel would frequently visit the company headquarters to ensure operations were running smoothly and to hold various teams accountable. Cunningham stated, "Greg won't let the laggards stay behind." This underscores Abel's relentless pursuit of performance.

Additionally, while Buffett is praised for his ability to assess large-scale business transactions, Abel's strength lies in his control over details, excelling in everything from balance sheets to operational efficiency. His early career experiences, particularly at PwC and later at CalEnergy, helped him gain a deep understanding of business operations, including the importance of cash flow and strategic acquisitions.

The sudden resignation of David Sokol in 2011 and Abel's takeover of BHE solidified his path to leadership at Berkshire. Since then, he has proven his capabilities by leading the energy sector through tough times and turning challenges into opportunities. His leadership in handling complex negotiations, such as the Klamath River dam project, which involved sensitive negotiations with Native American tribes, earned him respect from environmentalists and regulators Can Greg Abel Continue Buffett's Glorious Achievements?

As the Buffett era counts down, everyone is asking: Can Abel continue the legend? Based on his background, leadership style, and ability to adapt to the ever-changing market environment, he seems to have enough capability to meet this challenge. However, Berkshire's future will also depend on its ability to navigate the complexities brought about by a rapidly changing world, from the growing influence of activist investors to the need for continuous innovation in an increasingly competitive environment.

Abel's ability to balance tradition and innovation, his emphasis on building lasting relationships, and his proven track record of success all suggest a bright future for Berkshire Hathaway. However, just like the case with Buffett's business empire, only time will tell if Abel can continue the glory of the world's most successful wealth creation machine