Buffett8217;s potential heirs at Berkshire

Here are some other Berkshire executives seen as possible successors to Buffett:

Ajit Jain,Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group chief

Jain,a Berkshire veteran,has been repeatedly praised by Buffett for his running of the insurance business,which has grown from 8220;a standing start in 19858221; to one 8220;with float of 30 billion and significant underwriting profits.8221;

On a recent visit to India,Buffett skirted questions on his succession plan but praised Jain.

8220;He loves what he does,he8217;s not looking to take my job. If he was,the board of directors would probably put him in there in a minute,8221; Buffett said.

Gregory Abel,MidAmerican Energy Holdings CEO

Buffett has repeatedly called Abel a 8220;terrific manager8221; and part of a 8220;dream team8221; at the Berkshire-owned utility,which also included Sokol. In his annual letter to shareholders,Buffett praised both Sokol and Abel for 8220;outstanding results.8221; The utility8217;s profits rose 7 percent to 1.2 billion in 2010.

Matthew Rose,Burlington Northern CEO

Rose joined Berkshire after selling the No. 2 U.S. railroad company to Buffett last year for 26.4 billion,and recently made it to a Vanity Fair magazine list of top four candidates to succeed Buffett. Burlington Northern8217;s profit rose 43 percent to 2.5 billion in 2010,and Rose was praised by Buffett in the annual letter.