## Who Is Truly Greg Abel? The "Silent" Successor About to Lead Berkshire Hathaway

While Warren Buffett remains a globally recognized figure for his financial teachings and austere lifestyle, the new CEO of Berkshire Hathaway remains surprisingly unknown to most. Greg Abel, who officially took over the company's leadership on January 1st, represents a quiet but deliberate transition in control of one of the most influential industrial giants in the world, valued at over $1 trillion.

## A Reserved Profile Behind the Scenes

Unlike Buffett, who cultivated a media presence by building his reputation through television appearances and frequent public appearances, Abel has chosen discretion. His visibility has been mainly limited to Berkshire's annual shareholder meetings, where he has gradually shared the stage with his predecessor starting in 2020.

Abel's journey at Berkshire began in 2000, when Buffett acquired MidAmerican Energy. From that subsidiary, Abel progressively took on more responsibilities, becoming in 2018 the vice president of the group's non-insurance operations. Before this announcement, his focus remained on specific areas such as Berkshire Hathaway Energy and BNSF Railway, tackling concrete challenges like the transition to renewable energy sources.

## Abel's Personal Dedication

What emerges from his public statements is a deeply dedicated man, not only to Buffett's principles but also to the community. Abel's annual compensation amounts to $25 million, but his personal aspirations go beyond financial aspects. He has expressed a desire to be remembered as a devoted father and an active coach of young athletes in sports like hockey and baseball.

His daily habits reveal meticulous dedication: an in-depth study of Berkshire's operations, related sectors, competitors, and potential market risks. Abel constantly emphasizes the importance of professional determination, considering work ethic and the willingness to contribute as fundamental elements of success.

## A Leadership Continuing the Tradition

Abel has clearly communicated his commitment to perpetuating Buffett's capital allocation philosophy: every stock purchase is considered a long-term entrepreneurial investment, evaluating companies based on their future potential and associated risks. This approach requires strategic patience and discipline in waiting for opportunities, especially during periods of market turbulence.

Similar to his predecessor, who described himself as Berkshire's "chief risk officer," Abel has highlighted his role in protecting the company's reputation, responsibly managing shareholders' assets, and maintaining a solid balance sheet. He has also demonstrated the ability to learn from past mistakes, such as the territorial disputes of BNSF and PacifiCorp's wildfire management strategies.

A distinctive difference in his style: while Buffett has historically adopted a non-interventionist approach, Abel envisions a more involved management style, while maintaining Berkshire's core principles unchanged.

## Looking to the Future

Abel is fully aware of the weight of the responsibility now resting on him. He has expressed sincere gratitude and humility for the opportunity to succeed Buffett and for working alongside him and other Berkshire leaders for over a quarter of a century. Echoing Buffett's famous statement that he "goes to work skipping" for pure joy, Abel noted that the rarity of finding an extraordinary organization like Berkshire makes every day meaningful.

With Abel now at the helm and Buffett gradually stepping back from the spotlight, shareholders and the financial market await to see how the new leader will interpret the next chapter of this historic company. Berkshire's continued prosperity will depend on Abel's ability to preserve the legacy while adapting leadership to the contemporary context.