CurrentCurrent · in office since 1970
Rank #2 Globally

Warren Buffett

Chairman & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (1970–Present)

NASDAQ: BRK.A•Financial Services•United States
Warren Buffett executive portrait
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Quick Answer & Tenure Summary

Warren Buffett has served as Chairman & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway for 56 years 6 months (20,640 days), holding office continuously since May 10, 1970. At present, Warren Buffett ranks as the #2 longest-serving chief executive among tracked global leaders in the database.

In Office
56 years 6 months
20,640 days
Start Date
May 10, 1970
Appointed 1970
End Date
Present
Active executive
Age at Appointment
39 years old
Born Aug 30, 1930

Executive Succession & Corporate Facts

Predecessor
None (Founding CEO)
Successor
Active (In office)
Global Tenure Rank
#2 Longest-Serving CEO in Database (View Full Rankings →)
Company Founded
Jan 1, 1839 (Omaha, Nebraska)
Known Aliases
Oracle of Omaha

Tenure Milestones & Transition Timeline

May 10, 1970Source ↗

Elected CEO and Chairman

Formally took control of Berkshire Hathaway as Chairman and CEO, converting a textile mill into an investment powerhouse.

Jan 2, 1996Source ↗

GEICO Acquisition Completed

Acquired remaining outstanding shares of GEICO, making it a wholly owned Berkshire subsidiary.

Feb 12, 2010Source ↗

BNSF Railway Acquisition

Completed the landmark $44 billion acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

Related Leaders & Rankings

Same Company

Complete list of all historical and interim leaders at Berkshire Hathaway.

Global Benchmark

Compare against all 31 recorded corporate executives in our database.