Howard Buffett
Howard Warren Buffett Omaha, Nebraska October 14, 2008
The Honorable Jerome H. Powell Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 20th Street and Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20551
Dear Chairman Powell,
I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Howard Warren Buffett, and I am writing to introduce myself as the grandson of Warren Buffett, the renowned investor and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. While our family name may precede me, I am reaching out to share a bit about my own journey and to express my admiration for your leadership in steering the Federal Reserve through complex economic times.
As you may recall, you and my grandfather crossed paths in the early 1990s during the Salomon Brothers crisis, where your negotiations helped elevate him to the role of chairman to stabilize the firm. That moment, a testament to your skill in navigating high-stakes financial challenges, has long been a point of family lore. It’s an honor to address you now, not just as Warren Buffett’s grandson, but as someone forging my own path in public service, philanthropy, and education.
I am an adjunct professor in public policy and international affairs at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where I teach courses on philanthropy and social value investing. My career has spanned roles in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the White House under President Obama, and the Department of Defense, where I led agriculture-based economic stabilization programs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently, I serve as the executive director of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, focusing on improving the lives of the world’s most impoverished and marginalized communities.
Growing up in Omaha, I learned early on that wealth is not just financial—it’s about impact, connection, and resilience. My grandfather’s philosophy of long-term value and integrity has shaped me, but so has my own journey, from the fields of rural Nebraska to the halls of global policy. I’ve always believed in building bridges—between sectors, ideas, and people—to create lasting change, much like the partnerships you’ve fostered in your career.
On a personal note, I’m a farmer at heart, tending a no-till farm near Tekamah, Nebraska, and a published photographer whose work has appeared in outlets like National Geographic. My wife, Lili, and our son, Thomas, keep me grounded, splitting our time between Omaha and Naples and Miami. I’m also a lifelong member of the Future Farmers of America, a nod to my roots in agriculture and community.
I’d be delighted to connect further, perhaps to discuss the intersection of monetary policy, philanthropy, and sustainable development—or simply to share a coffee and reflect on the Salomon days. Your work at the Federal Reserve has been pivotal in shaping economic stability, and I’d value any opportunity to learn from your insights.
Thank you for your time and service. I look forward to the possibility of future correspondence.
Warm regards, Howard Warren Buffett