Greg Abel

Early life and education in Alberta

Greg Abel was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. His father worked for a firefighting equipment manufacturer, and his mother was a homemaker and part-time legal secretary. His uncle was professional hockey player Sid Abel. During his childhood, Abel took on various odd jobs to earn money, including distributing flyers and returning glass bottles for deposit. He also worked as a labourer for a forest products company, gaining early exposure to industrial work. Abel pursued higher education at the University of Alberta, graduating in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in commerce, majoring in accounting. He became a certified public accountant, a professional foundation for his entire business career.

Career path from accounting to energy

Abel began his professional career as a chartered accountant with the firm PricewaterhouseCoopers in its Edmonton office. He later transferred to the firm's San Francisco office, where one of his key clients was CalEnergy, a geothermal power producer. In 1992, he left public accounting to join CalEnergy directly. His career became intertwined with the company's growth, including its 1999 acquisition of MidAmerican Energy, after which the combined entity adopted the MidAmerican name. Later in 1999, Berkshire Hathaway acquired a controlling interest in MidAmerican Energy. Abel rose through the ranks, becoming CEO of MidAmerican in 2008. The company was renamed Berkshire Hathaway Energy in 2014, reflecting its central role within Buffett's conglomerate.

Ascension within Berkshire Hathaway

Abel's operational success at Berkshire Hathaway Energy led to a major promotion in January 2018. He was named a vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, with responsibility for all non-insurance operations, which encompassed dozens of manufacturing, retail, railroad and utility businesses. He was also appointed to Berkshire's board of directors. This move was widely seen as positioning him as a leading candidate to eventually succeed Warren Buffett. In May 2021, Buffett publicly confirmed Abel as his chosen successor for the CEO role. Abel's handling of a complex utility takeover for CalEnergy in the 1990s is cited as an early demonstration of the skills that impressed Buffett. In May 2025, Buffett announced that Abel would become CEO at the end of that year, a transition that formally took effect on January 1, 2026.

Taking the helm as CEO in 2026

Greg Abel assumed the role of chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway in January 2026, with Warren Buffett remaining as chairman of the board. In December 2025, before formally taking over, Abel announced his leadership team to ensure a smooth start. The 2026 Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders meeting was his first as CEO presiding over the event. In his early communications, including a 2026 letter to shareholders, Abel outlined several major challenges and priorities for the company. He stated that Berkshire would take a reserved stance on using artificial intelligence, ruled out any break-up of the conglomerate, and began deploying portions of the company's massive cash reserve, including a noted $1.8 billion investment. Analysts have described him as a hands-on, operational leader focused on installing key performance indicators across Berkshire's diverse businesses.

Investment activity and personal stake

Abel has significantly increased his personal investment in Berkshire Hathaway, aligning his interests with those of shareholders. In October 2022, he purchased 168 Class A shares of Berkshire stock for approximately $68 million. Prior to that purchase, his holdings were relatively modest, consisting of five Class A shares and 2,363 Class B shares. In June 2022, he sold his 1 percent stake in the Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary for $870 million. These transactions demonstrate a substantial personal commitment to the parent company as he prepared for the CEO role. His investment decisions are watched closely by the market as signals of his confidence in Berkshire's future direction and valuation.

Board roles and philanthropic activities

Beyond his executive duties, Greg Abel serves on several corporate and philanthropic boards. He is a director of Kraft Heinz, a major Berkshire Hathaway holding, and of AEGIS Limited and Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited. He holds the position of vice chairman of the Edison Electric Institute, an association of electric companies. Reflecting his Canadian roots and family connection to hockey, he is a director of the Hockey Canada Foundation. His community involvement includes serving on the board of the Mid-Iowa Council Boy Scouts of America and the American Football Coaches Foundation. He has also served on the board of trustees at Duke University and Drake University. In 2018, he was honoured with a Horatio Alger Award, which recognizes individuals who have succeeded despite adversity.

Personal life and citizenship

Greg Abel is married to Andrea Abel, and the couple has a young son. He has three adult children from a previous marriage. Abel lives in Iowa and is known to be active in youth sports, though he is generally protective of his family's privacy. On June 25, 2026, he was sworn in as a citizen of the United States in a ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa. This formalized his status as a Canadian-American dual citizen. His transition to U.S. citizenship occurred after he had already been named as the incoming CEO of the Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway, cementing his ties to the country where he has built the majority of his career.

Questions about Greg Abel

Is Greg Abel Canadian?

Yes, Greg Abel was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and is a Canadian citizen. He graduated from the University of Alberta in 1984. In June 2026, he also became a naturalized citizen of the United States, making him a Canadian-American dual citizen. He began his professional career as a chartered accountant in Edmonton before moving to the United States for work.

How did Greg Abel become CEO of Berkshire Hathaway?

Greg Abel's path to CEO began with his successful leadership of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. In 2018, he was promoted to vice chairman of Berkshire, overseeing all non-insurance operations. Warren Buffett publicly confirmed Abel as his successor in May 2021. In May 2025, Buffett announced that Abel would become CEO at the end of that year, and Abel officially assumed the role on January 1, 2026, with Buffett remaining as chairman.

What did Greg Abel do before leading Berkshire?

Before his executive roles at Berkshire, Greg Abel was a chartered accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He then joined the geothermal energy company CalEnergy in 1992. He rose to become CEO of that company, which was renamed MidAmerican Energy and later Berkshire Hathaway Energy after Berkshire acquired it. He ran this large utility subsidiary for years before his promotion to Berkshire's corporate leadership.

Where does Greg Abel live?

Greg Abel lives in the state of Iowa in the United States. This is consistent with his long tenure leading Berkshire Hathaway Energy, which is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. He was sworn in as a U.S. citizen in Des Moines in June 2026. He is known to be involved in local community activities, particularly youth sports.

What is Greg Abel's net worth?

While his exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, significant transactions provide clues. In June 2022, he sold his 1 percent stake in Berkshire Hathaway Energy for $870 million. In October 2022, he invested approximately $68 million to purchase additional Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares. His wealth is largely tied to his compensation and holdings in Berkshire Hathaway, one of the world's largest companies.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.