Shareholders mull a Buffett-less Berkshire future

Curiosity about plan for $114 billion in cash

OMAHA, Neb. — Tens of thousands of Berkshire Hathaway shareholders return to Omaha every year to learn from Warren Buffett and celebrate the company he built through acquisitions and investments.

But with the 88-year-old Buffett and 95-year-old Charlie Munger leading the company, it’s hard for shareholders not to wonder how much longer the revered investors will be in place. And the fact that Berkshire is holding more than $114 billion in cash and short-term investments raises questions about what Buffett might buy next.

Shareholder Stephen Teenois, 30, made his first trip to this year’s meeting Saturday after owning the stock for several years because he wanted to experience the event where Buffett and Munger spend hours answering questions.

“I just want to soak in everything I can and learn from him,” said Teenois, who is from Houston.

Buffett has said that Berkshire has a succession plan in place for whenever it is needed. Neither Buffett nor Munger has any plans to retire. Two longtime executives, Ajit Jain and Greg Abel, have been promoted to vice chairmen to help oversee Berkshire’s businesses. One of them probably will be Berkshire’s next CEO.

Buffett said Saturday that both Abel and Jain have done a great job since they were promoted into the new roles in early 2018, and both earned about $18 million last year. Jain oversees the conglomerate’s insurance businesses, and Abel oversees non-insurance business operations.

“You could not have two better operating managers than Greg and Ajit,” Buffett said.

Jim Weber, CEO of Berkshire company Brooks Running, said the transition from reporting directly to Buffett to reporting to Abel has gone smoothly.

“I’ve enjoyed working with him. He’s incredibly smart,” Weber said about Abel.

Berkshire’s eclectic collection of more than 90 businesses includes a variety of industries. Previously, Abel oversaw Berkshire utility businesses.

Warren Buffett