Greg Abel stepped into one of the most closely watched leadership transitions in corporate history when he became CEO of Berkshire Hathaway on January 1, replacing Warren Buffett after more than six decades at the helm. But despite the official handover, Abel isn’t navigating the role alone.
In a recent CNBC interview, Abel revealed that he still speaks with Buffett “nearly every day.” When both men are in the Omaha office, Abel regularly seeks his predecessor’s perspective. During travel, the conversations continue every couple of days. “We’re always connecting,” Abel said.
Buying In: Abel Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is
To demonstrate his commitment to shareholders, Abel announced he purchased $15 million worth of Berkshire stock this month — equivalent to his entire after-tax annual salary. He added that he plans to continue using his full annual salary to buy Berkshire shares, signaling strong personal alignment with the company’s long-term future.
A Challenging First Letter
Abel described writing his first shareholder letter as the “toughest” task he has faced so far. Rather than attempting to replicate Buffett’s signature folksy style, Abel focused on reinforcing Berkshire’s foundational principles of financial strength and disciplined investing. Buffett, ever candid, reportedly joked that “the second letter doesn’t get any easier.”
On strategy, Abel confirmed Berkshire is unlikely to venture into cryptocurrency, echoing Buffett’s longstanding skepticism. However, he left the door open for technology investments where Berkshire can develop genuine operational understanding.
Buffett, who remains chairman, has publicly backed his successor, writing that he could think of no one he would trust more to manage shareholders’ savings.