Greg Abel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greg Abel
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|---|---|
| Born |
Gregory Edward Abel
June 1, 1962 |
| Education | University of Alberta (BComm) |
| Occupation | Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway |
| Spouse(s) | Andrea Abel |
| Children | 4 |
Gregory Edward Abel (born June 1, 1962) is a Canadian businessman. He is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Since January 2018, he has also been the vice-chairman of non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway. On May 3, 2025, it was announced that he became the successor to Warren Buffett as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Canada
Gregory Edward Abel was born on June 1, 1962, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. As a child, he worked hard to earn money. He delivered flyers and collected bottles. He also worked as a laborer for a company that made products from forests. Greg enjoyed playing hockey and football when he was young.
His College Years
In 1984, Greg Abel earned a bachelor's degree in accounting. He studied at the University of Alberta. He is also a certified public accountant, which means he is qualified to handle financial records for businesses.
Greg Abel's Career Journey
Starting in Accounting
Greg Abel began his career as an accountant. He worked for a big company called PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Francisco. In 1992, he joined a company named CalEnergy. This company produced electricity using heat from the Earth.
Leading Energy Companies
In 1999, CalEnergy bought another company called MidAmerican Energy. CalEnergy then started using the MidAmerican name. Later that year, Berkshire Hathaway bought a large part of MidAmerican Energy. Greg Abel became the CEO of MidAmerican in 2008. In 2014, the company changed its name again to Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
Becoming a Top Leader at Berkshire Hathaway
In January 2018, Greg Abel was given a very important role. He became the vice-chairman for non-insurance businesses at Berkshire Hathaway. He also joined Berkshire's board of directors. This board helps make big decisions for the company.
In May 2021, Warren Buffett, the famous investor, said that Greg Abel would be his future successor. This meant Greg would take over as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway one day. Greg's skill in handling a British utility company takeover in the 1990s helped show he was ready for this role.
On May 3, 2025, Warren Buffett announced that Greg Abel became the chief executive officer of the company at the end of that year. Only Buffett's children knew about this plan before the announcement. Greg Abel himself did not know beforehand.
Other Important Roles
Greg Abel also serves on the boards of several other organizations. He is the vice chairman of the Edison Electric Institute. He is also a director for companies like AEGIS Limited and Kraft Heinz. He helps lead groups like the Hockey Canada Foundation and the Mid-Iowa Council Boy Scouts of America. He has also been a trustee at Duke University and Drake University.
Honors and Recognition
In 2018, Greg Abel received a special award. He was given the Horatio Alger award. This award honors people who have achieved great success despite facing challenges.
