Archive · 26 Jan 2026
David Sokol's Rise and Fall at Berkshire Hathaway
David Sokol was once seen as the likely successor to Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway.
He was a star executive who grew key businesses and was praised by Buffett.
However, in 2011, Sokol's prospects fell apart due to a controversy over his personal stock trades in Lubrizol, a company Berkshire later acquired.
Sokol resigned and has since kept a low profile, starting his own investment firm.
Despite his fall, Sokol is remembered for his significant contributions to Berkshire Hathaway.
David Sokol was a star executive at Berkshire Hathaway, praised by Warren Buffett for his business acumen.
Sokol's career at Berkshire ended in 2011 due to a controversy over his personal stock trades in Lubrizol.
Sokol resigned from Berkshire and has since started his own investment firm, Teton Capital.
Sokol is known for his aggressive business strategies and his investment in BYD, a Chinese battery maker.
Despite his fall, Sokol is remembered for his significant contributions to Berkshire Hathaway's businesses.
- Who
- David Sokol, former executive at Berkshire Hathaway
- What
- Sokol's rise and fall from being a potential successor to Warren Buffett
- When
- Controversy in 2011, after Berkshire's acquisition of Lubrizol
- Where
- Berkshire Hathaway, primarily based in Omaha, Nebraska
- Why
- Sokol's personal stock trades in Lubrizol before Berkshire's acquisition
- Name
- David Sokol
- Age
- 69
- Former Role
- CEO of MidAmerican Energy
- Controversy
- Stock trading before Berkshire's acquisition of Lubrizol
- Current Status
- Founder of Teton Capital
- Notable Investment
- BYD (Chinese battery maker)
- Residence
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Net Worth
- Several hundred million dollars