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Pilot Flying J

Pilot Company Announces Leadership Changes

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Pilot Company, the leading supplier of fuel and the largest operator of travel centers in North America, announced today that CEO Jimmy Haslam will become chairman of the board on January 1, 2021, and has named Shameek Konar, the company’s chief strategy officer, as CEO at that time.

As a family operated company for 62 years, Founder James (Jim) Haslam and Jimmy Haslam will remain involved in the business as chairman emeritus and chairman, respectively. The transition of Konar to the role of CEO will continue over the next six months.

“Since day one with Pilot in 2017, Shameek has shown his dedication to advancing our company and the industry,” said Jimmy Haslam, current CEO of Pilot Company. “Shameek has successfully launched and grown our Pilot Energy business and become a key member of our leadership team. His knowledge of the energy sector, including expertise in the acquisition, development and operations of infrastructure assets and resources, and his deep appreciation of Pilot’s culture and values are a few of the reasons why we chose him to be our next CEO. We have full confidence that Shameek will continue to grow the legacy of our family’s business.”

Konar has had a strong track record throughout his career with more than 20 years of experience in the energy and commodity market focusing on acquiring, integrating and optimizing assets. He has a degree in Economics and Mathematics from St. Stephens College in India and a PhD in Economics and Finance from Vanderbilt University.

“Thanks to Jimmy and Ken Parent’s leadership, we are well positioned for what’s ahead and have an incredible team to get us there,” said Konar, chief strategy officer at Pilot. “When joining the Pilot family, I was immediately drawn to the strong culture that Jimmy and the entire Haslam family created. As CEO, I will be deeply committed to keeping those values in place and investing in our team, while also working to better serve our guests, advance our goals and continue to strategically grow the business.”

Effective immediately, Konar will take on additional responsibilities, including the management of technology, HR, finance and legal. The real estate team will continue to report to Jimmy Haslam and the store operations and development teams will continue to report to Ken Parent, president. As CEO, store operations and development will be added to Konar’s role in 2021.

In January, Parent will become senior advisor to the CEO and the chairman, providing guidance on strategy and key priorities for the company. Parent has helped the company achieve significant growth through the development of successful systems and processes, as well as building an outstanding leadership team. The rest of Pilot’s management team will stay in place.

In 2021 and beyond, the Haslam family will continue to be involved. In addition to Jim and Jimmy, Whitney Haslam Johnson will continue to serve as chief experience officer and member of the board, and Bill Haslam will serve on the board.

Berkshire Hathaway and Pilot

In 2017, Berkshire Hathaway made a $2.76 billion investment in Pilot Travel Centers, and Berkshire will become the majority owner in 2022.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Uncategorized

Mouser Electronics Honored by Top Electronic Component Manufacturers

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Mouser Electronics, Inc., the industry’s leading New Product Introduction (NPI) distributor with the widest selection of semiconductors and electronic components, is pleased to announce that it has received over 20 top business awards from its manufacturer partners for impeccable distribution performance during 2019 and 2020.

Manufacturers gave a variety of reasons for the awards, including best-in-class global logistics, digital excellence, double-digit sales growth, fastest new product introductions (NPIs), commitment to teamwork, investment in inventory and breadth of inventory, successful marketing campaigns, customer growth, and expanding footprint.

“Mouser is immensely grateful to our manufacturer partners for these top recognitions,” said Jeff Newell, Senior Vice President of Products at Mouser Electronics. “These awards honor the hard work and dedication to exceptional customer service inherent to all of our teams.”

Performance awards for excellence in 2019 and 2020 include:

TE Connectivity – Global High Service Distributor of the Year
Amphenol Corporation – 2019 High Service Digital Performance
Vishay Intertechnology – 2019 Americas Catalog Distributor of the Year; 2019 High Service Distribution Award for EMEA; 2019 Americas Catalog Passive Distributor of the Year
Molex – 2019 Global E-Catalog Distributor of the Year; 2019 Americas E-Catalog Distributor of the Year; 2019 Europe E-Catalog Distributor of the Year; 2019 APAC E-Catalog Distributor of the Year
KEMET – High Service Distributor of the Year Award for Fiscal Year 2020
Littelfuse – High Service Distributor of the Year
Bel Fuse, Inc. – 2019 Distributor of the Year
Digilent – Distributor of the Year
TDK Europe – European Senten Manten Bronze Award 2019 — High-Service Distributor
MEAN WELL – 2019 North American Distributor of the Year
Eaton – 2019 Distributor Engagement Award
Neutrik – Distributor of the Year; Outstanding Performance of the Year; Supplier Manager of the Year: Ryan Virostek
Altech – 2019 Sales Achievement Award
ECS Inc. – 2019 Distributor of the Year
Schaffner – Distribution Product Manager of the Year: Leticia Gomez

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

BYD Takes on Tesla With Han EV series

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

BYD has officially launched its new Han EV series, the brand’s long-awaited flagship offering for the global mid-to-large luxury sedan market, including three pure electric models and one hybrid model.

The Han EV will be sold in China at first. Its extended-range version will sell at 229,800 RMB, the extended-range variant of the premium model will be priced at 255,800 RMB, and the 4WD high-performance version will sell at 279,500 RMB. Besides, the PHEV version, Han DM, will sell at 219,800 yuan.

Among its safety features, the car uses BYD’s ultra-safe Blade Battery.

With BYD being no stranger to pioneering in the industry, the Han series continues to break new ground. The Han EV’s long-range pure electric version has a remarkable single-charge range of 605 kilometers (376 miles) based on the NEDC test cycle. The four-wheel-drive high-performance version possesses an acceleration of 0 to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, making it China’s fastest EV in production, while the DM (Dual Mode) plug-in hybrid model offers 0 to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, making it the country’s fastest hybrid sedan.

The Han series will create a new global standard for EV technology and quality, shaking up the traditional luxury car market while accelerating the global shift to electric vehicles. Named after one of the most celebrated dynasties in Chinese history, the Han series also demonstrates the country’s growing manufacturing prowess.

The Han has taken ten years from the concept stage to formal mass production,” which Wang Chuanfu, President of BYD, likened to “ten years of sharpening a brilliant sword.” He added, “Through our leading technologies, we have created three benchmarks for flagship EVs in terms of safety, performance, and luxury.”

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million has grown in value almost ten-fold.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Appoints National Product Line Leaders for UK, Opens New Office in Manchester

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance has appointed Irfan Esa as UK National Property Manager, Gemma McKenzie, as UK National Casualty Manager, and James Burke as UK National Executive & Professional Lines Manager. All three will be based out of BHSI’s newly established office in Manchester.

“We are pleased to expand our on-the-ground capabilities in the UK, installing stellar product leadership and the foundation to continue to grow our team in our new office in Manchester,” said Chris Colahan, Head of UK & Europe, BHSI. “With this leadership team, coupled with Mark Walker, Head of Customer & Broker Engagement for the UK, we look forward to expanding our local market relationships – and spreading BHSI’s clear-cut, customer-focused underwriting and CLAIMS IS OUR PRODUCT philosophy to customers throughout the UK.”

Irfan comes to BHSI with more than 17 years of experience in technical property underwriting in the UK. Gemma brings more than 20 years of UK casualty underwriting experience to her role at BHSI. James has 16 years of industry experience spanning all financial lines in the UK.

BHSI in Manchester is initially providing property, casualty and executive & professional lines with a large account focus in the region. In collaboration with specialty teams in BHSI’s London office, the new Manchester office will also offer a full spectrum of additional coverages in the UK, including marine, transactional liability, construction, and life sciences coverages.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Expands Homeowners Coverage to Missouri, Washington, and Wisconsin

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Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies, a property and casualty insurance specialist writing $2 billion in premium nationwide, recently announced it has added Missouri, Washington, and Wisconsin to the list of states where the insurer offers its Homeowners product.

“Our goal is to become a ‘One Stop Shop’ for our agents and their insureds,” said Sy Foguel, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD CEO. “We continue to expand our portfolio to supply our network of independent agents with quality products that enable them to grow. With these three states, we now offer our Personal Lines products in 15 states with plans for further expansion in the months ahead.”

Senior VP of Personal Lines Dovid Tkatch explains that “We are very pleased with the results we’ve already experienced in our previous states, and we fully expect to see that trend continue. Our success can be attributed to Berkshire Hathaway GUARD providing a quality, easily understood product along with a high level of service to both agents and policyholders.”

GUARD’s insurance product targets dwellings valued over $75,000 and includes one- to four-family residences, renters, and condo units (both owner-occupied and those held for rental). Tkatch explains, “By mixing and matching policy forms, endorsements, and optional coverages aimed at broader protection, policyholders can obtain property insurance suited to their circumstances. A Personal Umbrella with limits up to $5,000,000 is also available.”

According to GUARD’s spokesperson and Assistant Vice President of Marketing Elizabeth Hartman, “We believe we can provide a great service to agents that write both commercial and personal accounts. We feature a competitively priced product with a variety of available discounts, including one for insureds who have commercial policies with GUARD. We also believe certain aspects of our underwriting appetite are unique and will appeal to producers anxious to cross-sell and achieve a greater client share.”

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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HomeServices of America

HomeServices of America Appoints Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Gino Blefari, CEO of HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, has appointed Teresa Palacios Smith as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for HomeServices and its subsidiaries, including its family of brokerage, mortgage, insurance, settlement-services, and relocation companies, and HSF Affiliates, which operates the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Real Living franchise networks.

In her role, Palacios Smith will lead HomeServices’ employee- and agent-diversity programs, cultivate a culture of equity and inclusion, and champion the company’s goal of increasing minority homeownership.

“There’s no place like home. Our home is a place that we associate with acceptance, family, love, safety, and belonging,” said Palacios Smith. “HomeServices exemplifies this and I’m honored to lead the diversity and inclusion efforts of a company that values its people, promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and cherishes homeownership and fair housing for all.”

Palacios Smith began her career as a successful real estate agent and served on Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ management team. In 2017, she joined HSF Affiliates as its Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion for the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Real Living franchise networks.

During her more than 20 years in the real estate industry, Palacios Smith has been a national speaker and trainer who has focused on emerging markets, unconscious bias, and real estate trends in diverse market segments. She is serves on the boards of many of the country’s top housing organizations that focus on supporting people from traditionally underserved communities and is recognized for her dedication to expanding and celebrating leadership opportunities in real estate for women. She is a past president of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), one of the largest associations of minority real estate professionals in the country, and a cofounder of the NAHREP’s Atlanta chapter. In 2019, she received the Diversity Leader Award from the National Association of Women in the Housing & Real Estate Ecosystem. In May 2018, she was honored by RISMedia with the Newsmaker award and was inducted, along with HomeServices’ executive chair Ron Peltier, into RISMedia’s Hall of Fame.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Announces Addition of Heritage Realty of Central New York to its Global Brokerage Franchise Network

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices today announced that Heritage Realty of central New York, an independent real estate brokerage in operation since 2008, joins the global brokerage franchise network operating as Berkshire Hathaway Home-Services Heritage Realty. The brokerage adds two offices and 19 agents to the network and, most importantly, establishes a presence in the local market of central New York.

Heritage Realty remains independently owned and operated by Dana Decker. It serves central New York from its Homer, NY headquarters. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is one of the world’s fastest-growing real estate brokerage franchise networks with more than 50,000 agents and nearly 1,500 offices added to the brand since its launch seven years ago. This includes global network members in Germany, England, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Portugal and Canada.

“I decided to join Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices because I know the brand is built on pillars of trust, integrity, longevity, and stability. Heritage Realty was built on similar pillars, including integrity and trust,” said Dana Decker, broker and owner of Heritage Realty. “The marriage between these two brands gives Heritage Realty the longevity and stability we have been seeking to provide our clientele with the service they deserve well into the future. Being part of this network guarantees that our clients, agents, and community will have the best in class available in the real estate arena.”

With their brand transition, Heritage Realty agents gain access to Berkshire Hath-away HomeServices’ active referral and relocation networks, and its “FOREVER Cloud” technology suite, a powerful source for lead generation, marketing support, social media, video production/distribution and more. Berkshire Hathaway Home-Services delivers world-class technology support to its network members far into the future.

The brand also provides global listing syndication, professional training and on-going education and the exclusive Luxury Collection marketing program for premier listings. Its Prestige Magazine showcases network members’ premium listings with a strong lineup of feature stories covering topics that appeal to high-end real estate consumers.

Gino Blefari, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, welcomed Heritage Realty to the network, “With a focus on positively contributing to their community, Heritage Realty has been doing locally what the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand aims to do globally: help people achieve their goals faster than they would in our absence. We’re so happy to see our vision complemented by Heritage Realty’s.”

Added Decker, “Heritage Realty and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices have similar cultures built on a results-driven mentality. Both brands understand the importance of the ‘little things’ in a transaction that go a long way. Joining the network assures that Heritage Realty won’t plateau. We will have the tools and re-sources to be on the cutting edge of technology always, which will continue to gain extraordinary results for our clients.”

CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Chris Stuart, stated, “Dana Decker’s vision and Heritage Realty’s culture are a perfect fit for the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network. Dana has grounded Heritage Realty in the local community while looking for the technology and tools to help his agents and their clients achieve their goals. We look forward to working together.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Mouser Electronics

Mouser Electronics Wins Vishay 2019 EMEA High Service Distribution Award

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Mouser Electronics, Inc., the industry’s leading New Product Introduction (NPI) distributor with the widest selection of semiconductors and electronic components, has been presented with the 2019 High Service Distribution Award for EMEA by Vishay Intertechnology, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components.

The award is based on a rigorous system where points are given for performance in a number of key metrics including sales, New Product Introductions (NPI) and number of stocked parts.

“This 2019 High Service Distribution Award reflects Mouser’s outstanding level of service and breadth of inventory, making Vishay’s technologies and solutions more visible and available to our mutual customers,” said Philippe Masson, Senior Director, Sales Distribution Europe for Vishay. ”We are happy to present Mouser with this award and congratulate their whole team for such outstanding performance across Europe.”

“We are honored to receive this award. We would like to thank the entire Vishay team and look forward to working together even more closely in the future. Our relationship grows stronger each year and we are proud to receive this prestigious award,” commented Graham Maggs, Mouser’s Vice President of Marketing, EMEA.

This is Mouser EMEA’s seventh Vishay award in eight years, and Vishay also recently named Mouser as the 2019 Americas Catalog Distributor of the Year and the specialized 2019 Americas Catalog Passives Distributor of the Year.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway Energy

PacifiCorp Issues Largest Request for New Energy Projects in Company History

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s PacifiCorp has issued the largest request for proposals for energy projects in company history, seeking competitively priced resources that can connect to its 10-state transmission system. Already the largest regulated utility owner of wind power in the West, these projects will significantly increase the amount of renewable energy resources serving customers in six western states.

The company does business as Pacific Power in California, Oregon and Washington and as Rocky Mountain Power in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.

PacifiCorp’s most recent Integrated Resource Plan outlines the company’s plans to add 1,823 megawatts of new solar resources, 595 megawatts of new battery energy storage and 1,920 megawatts of new wind resources by the end of 2023. This is enough to power nearly three million typical homes with renewable energy.

The company will accept bids featuring different resource types and bid structures, including forms of power-purchase, battery storage, and build-transfer agreements. PacifiCorp will not be submitting any self-build resources and therefore won’t be competing with independent developers on their projects. Projects must be able to achieve commercial operation by December 31, 2024. Long-lead projects, such as pumped storage, can submit offers with commercial operation dates beyond December 31, 2024.

“These projects represent PacifiCorp’s longstanding and enduring commitment to create an energy future that is affordable, reliable and increasingly sustainable,” said Rick Link, PacifiCorp vice president of resource planning.
“Our All-Source RFP is a catalyst to help realize that future and enable our customers and communities across the West to benefit from lower-cost renewable energy to grow their economies, run their businesses and homes.”

The 2020 all-source request for proposals is based on findings from a broad range of studies and technical analyses developed through an open and extensive public process, with input from an active and diverse group of stakeholders, including customer advocacy groups, community members, regulatory staff, and other interested parties. PacifiCorp met with stakeholders in five states and hosted 18 public-input meetings over nearly two years to develop a plan to provide the cleanest, least-risk and lowest-cost electricity for customers.

While it is anticipated that most bids will feature wind and solar resources, projects of any variety of qualifying energy production will be considered, allowing developers to present technologies and resources that fit their business model and best position them to compete in the energy market. PacifiCorp anticipates a robust response and a diversity of proposals.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

Santiago Adds 150 BYD Electric Buses to Chile’s Public Transport System

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

BYD has announced that Latin America’s largest fleet of zero-emission buses just got bigger, as Santiago’s RED system added 150 of their buses to Chile’s public transport system.

With a total of 455 buses in operation, BYD firmly leads Chile’s electric bus market.

The buses will run along Avenida Bernardo O’Higgins, the historic central avenue in the Chilean capital and will be operated by Metbus.

“This new fleet of 150 BYD electric buses will bring citizens more quality trips while improving Santiago’s air quality,” said Tamara Berríos, Country Manager, BYD Chile.

Santiago’s electric bus fleet will reach almost 800 units by the end of this year. Chile wants to completely electrify publicnsportation by the 2040.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million has grown in value almost ten-fold.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.