Berkshire Hathaway on Friday said Howard would become the chairman of the US$1.1 trillion conglomerate, succeeding his legendary investor father, who would become chairman emeritus.
The move completes one of the biggest and most closely watched transitions in corporate America, nine months after the Oracle of Omaha handed the CEO reins to longtime lieutenant Greg Abel.
Warren Buffett’s oldest son
Warren, 96, has three children: Susie, Howard and Peter. Howard, 71, is the second-born and the eldest of his two sons.
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(From L) The children of Warren Buffett, Howard Buffett, Susie Buffett, and Peter Buffett, pose for a photo at the CenturyLink Center exhibit hall in Omaha, Neb., May 1, 2015. Photo by AP |
Long-time Berkshire director
Known as Howie, he has been a Berkshire director for 33 years, a longer apprenticeship than what Warren served before taking the reins.
Long-standing successor
Howard’s appointment as the non-executive chairman of Berkshire is part of the conglomerate’s long-standing succession plan.
In 2011, Warren told CBS News that he would like Howard to succeed him.
Preserving Berkshire’s culture
In his new role, Howard’s responsibility would be to preserve Berkshire’s culture. He would not have a management role as chairman.
Howard had his own definition of Berkshire’s culture.
“It’s not rocket science,” he had told the Wall Street Journal in January 2025. “The culture is to keep things simple, to do what you need to do but don’t do a lot of things you don’t need to do, treat people fairly, respect your managers, respect your shareholders. Tell them the bad news upfront, be honest.”
Donned multiple hats
Over the course of his life, Howard has been a farmer, photographer, conservationist and businessman.
He has previously served on the Douglas County Board of Commissioners in Nebraska, two Office of the United States Trade Representative committees, and non-profit organization Commission on Presidential Debates.
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In this February 2014, file photo, philanthropist Howard Buffett, son of investor Warren Buffett, speaks in Omaha, Neb. Photo by AP |
He also worked in law enforcement for about a decade, including as sheriff of Macon County, Illinois.
Howard has authored more than a dozen books on conservation, wildlife and the human condition, including two New York Times bestsellers. He was also the executive producer of award-winning documentary films.
Member of several corporate boards
Howard has served as director of several corporate boards, including Agro Tech, Archer-Daniels Midland, Conagra Foods, the Coca-Cola Company, Coca Cola Enterprises, FirsTier Financial, and Lindsay Corporation.
Addressing global hunger
Howard leads the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, a private charitable foundation that works to address global hunger, combat human trafficking and mitigate conflicts.
Established in 1999, the foundation has been funded by donations from Warren Buffett and has devoted resources in recent years to Ukraine.
Around the world
Howard has traveled to more than 150 countries around the world, in part due to his charitable work.
Multiple honors
Howard has been honored by several governments, including Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Rwanda and Ukraine for his charitable work.
He has also been recognized for his contributions in agriculture, conservation, journalism, philanthropy and law enforcement.