Meet Greg Abel, the new boss of Berkshire Hathaway—Warren Buffett’s successor started out by selling empty soda bottles for 5 cents and now he’s a billionaire CEO

Core Insights - Warren Buffett has named Greg Abel as his successor at Berkshire Hathaway, marking a significant leadership transition for the $1 trillion company in 2025 [1] - Abel's journey to becoming CEO began with early entrepreneurial experiences, including collecting soda bottles and distributing advertising fliers [2][3] Career Path - Abel's first corporate role was at PwC after graduating from the University of Alberta in 1984, where he worked with CalEnergy as a client [4][5] - He transitioned from consulting to CalEnergy, eventually becoming CEO and chairman, and played a crucial role in its growth into a global holding firm [5] - A pivotal moment in Abel's career occurred in October 1999 when Berkshire Hathaway acquired a controlling interest in CalEnergy, which was later renamed MidAmerican [6] - Abel served as CEO and executive chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Energy from 2008 to 2018 and was appointed vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway's non-insurance operations [6]