Howard Buffett has assumed the role of chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, succeeding his father, Warren Buffett. The transition follows the retirement of the 96-year-old legendary investor from the position, and Warren Buffett will now serve as chairman emeritus.
The appointment of the 71-year-old Howard Buffett, who goes by “Howie,” concludes a long-standing succession plan. Warren Buffett previously expressed his desire for Howard to succeed him during a 2011 interview with CBS News. This move comes nine months after Greg Abel, a longtime lieutenant, took over as CEO.
Preserving Corporate Culture
As the non-executive chairman of the $1.1 trillion conglomerate, Howard Buffett will not hold a management role. Instead, his primary responsibility is to guard and preserve the unique culture and values that his father nurtured.
Berkshire’s culture and values are a big part of what makes it such a unique company; they are also a big part of what has created so much value for Berkshire’s shareholders,
Howard Buffett said on Friday. He added that his role, along with other directors, is to ensure the company continues to reflect those values to extend its track record into the future.
In January 2025, Howard Buffett described the company’s culture to the Wall Street Journal as keeping things simple, treating people fairly, respecting shareholders and managers, and being honest by delivering bad news upfront.
Background and Experience
Howard Buffett has served as a director for Berkshire Hathaway for 33 years. While he did not graduate from college and has a limited record in managing stock portfolios or running businesses by typical corporate standards, he has held a variety of roles throughout his life. He has been a businessman, photographer, conservationist, and farmer with holdings in Nebraska and Illinois.
His professional history includes:
- Serving as sheriff of Macon County, Illinois, and working in law enforcement for approximately a decade.
- Serving on the Douglas County Board of Commissioners in Nebraska.
- Participating in two Office of the United States Trade Representative committees and the Commission on Presidential Debates.
- Serving on the boards of several corporations, including The Coca-Cola Company, Conagra Foods, Archer-Daniels Midland, and Agro Tech.
Buffett Foundation. Established in 1999 with donations from Warren Buffett, the foundation focuses on mitigating conflicts, combating human trafficking, and addressing global hunger. This work has taken him to more than 150 countries and earned him honors from the governments of Ukraine, Rwanda, Mexico, El Salvador, and Colombia. He has also authored more than a dozen books and executive produced award-winning documentaries.
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