Tracy Britt of Berkshire is Warren Buffet's Protege? 28-Year-Old Could Lead Billionaire's Hedge Fund
Tracy Britt of Berkshire, Warren Buffet's multibillion-dollar hedge fund, could be being groomed to take over the billionaire's company once he's retired. Britt is a 28-year-old graduate of Harvard Business School and has only been working as Buffet's assistant since 2009, but already is managing four of the company's subsidiaries.
Tracy Britt's Berkshire work has led to rumors that she is Warren Buffet's much-discussed protégé taking over once Buffet retires, according to The Wall Street Journal. Buffet has mentioned in the past that he already knows who is protégé is, although he refuses to divulge a name.
Britt apparently impressed the billionaire investor with her interview in 2009- she brought a bushel of corn and tomatoes to show her Midwestern roots, which are similar to Buffet's. She hails from Kansas, where she grew up helping her family tend to their business, Britt's Garden Acres.
She became Buffet's assistant, with an office right next door to the 82-year-old CEO and the privilege of his exclusive advice and training. Now, she is one of the most influential people in the company, with her responsibilities including the managing of over $4 billion in business and communication between the many CEO's under the company's management.
"She's got this wealth of information about what's going on at the Berkshire portfolio companies," Sam Taylor, chief executive of Oriental Trading Co., which is now under Berkshire, told WSJ. "She knows exactly what's going on and where Warren's head is at."
Although Britt and Buffet refuse to comment on the rumors, Britt has wanted to work with a smart investor like Buffet since the beginning of her undergrad years at Harvard. Many advised her to work before attending graduate school, but she opted instead for education, striving to receive the tutelage of someone in the hedge fund business.
"I'm happy to say that I have found that wonderful teacher and mentor, and he couldn't be a better boss. As Warren Buffet's financial assistant, I am grateful every day for the opportunity to learn from him," she said.
