Sokol, who used to run BerkshiresubsidiariesMidAmericanandNetJets, waswidelyseen asBuffett's heir apparent, an image Buffett biographerssay the "Oracle ofOmaha" cultivated.
It put John Compton, the current head of Americas Foods, in charge of all the company's global groups, making him anheirapparent in the newly created role of president.