In a move that's raising eyebrows across Wall Street, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon has landed Todd Combs, one of Warren Buffett's trusted investment managers at Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK). And this isn't just another executive hire—Combs was widely viewed as a potential successor to the Oracle of Omaha himself.
Combs will helm a newly created $10 billion Strategic Investment Group at JPMorgan, focusing on sectors vital to national security like critical minerals and frontier technologies. He'll also serve as a special advisor to Dimon, bringing Buffett-style investment thinking to one of America's biggest banks.
Here's why this hire makes sense: Combs isn't walking in cold. He's been a JPMorgan board member for the past nine years, giving him an insider's view of how the bank operates. John Longo, a finance professor and author of "Buffett's Tips," told the Insider that this board experience played a significant role in sealing the deal. Add in his track record managing money and learning directly from Buffett, and you've got someone who checks every box.
Combs joined Berkshire back in 2010 after running a hedge fund, and quickly became one of Buffett's go-to investment managers. He eventually rose to CEO of Berkshire-owned Geico in 2020. Buffett had initially envisioned Combs helping manage the company's massive investment portfolio long-term, which makes his departure all the more noteworthy.
For JPMorgan, this represents a clear strategic play. Dimon is essentially importing Buffett's investment philosophy to enhance the bank's positioning in critical sectors. With Combs' experience managing large-scale financial operations and his mentorship under one of history's greatest investors, JPMorgan gains a seasoned strategist who can navigate both traditional investments and emerging national security priorities.
The timing is interesting too. As banks face increasing pressure to make strategic bets in areas like technology and resources critical to national interests, having someone with Combs' pedigree leading those efforts could give JPMorgan a significant competitive edge in the evolving financial landscape.




