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OMAHA, Nebraska-A top executive of Berkshire Hathaway, which was supposed to be on the inside track to one day succeed billionaire Warren Buffett as CEO resigned suddenly. Buffett said Wednesday that the resignation letter David Sokol, delivered by his deputy Monday night, was a "total surprise." But the resignation came less than two weeks after Buffett has learned about the trades made before Sokol actions that Berkshire has announced its $ 9 billion acquisition of chemical company Lubrizol. Buffett said Sokol, wBeats by dreho had served as chairman of Berkshire MidAmerican Energy, and Johns Manville NetJets units, said he wants to spend more time on philanthropy. "As I told you about in the past, my goal is to use the remaining time of my career to invest resources in my family to create the equity and sustainable business which we hope will provide an opportunity to my descendants and the financing of my philanthropic interests, "Sokol wrote. Buffett said on two occasions, most recently two years ago, Sokol had spoken to resign for similar reasons, but Buffett and other board members convinced him to stay with the company. He accepted the resignation Sokol, this time. "I'm totally shocked," said Andy Kilpatrick, the stockbroker-author of "Of Permanent Value, the story of Warren Buffett." "It seemed only minutes ago, as if (Sokol) was the guy." Buffett said he learnfive fingers shoes ed March 19 that Sokol bought 2300 shares of Lubrizol in December, one day after asking an investment banker to contact the manufacturer of specialty chemicals talks about possible deal. Sokol initial shares sold them a week later, but then purchased nearly 100,000 shares of Lubrizol in early January about a week before recommending that Berkshire bid. Buffett said the decision announced on March 14, offering $ 135 in cash for each share of Lubrizol was entirely his own, but that the agreement would not have happened without early efforts Sokol. Buffett said he does not believe that these share purchases were illegal because Sokol facts before he had even suggested the Lubrizol case, and said Sokol says in passing, he had shares in the company during the One is the case under discussion. Buffett also said he has not asked to resign Sokol and Sokol noted that he was told that the stock purchases were not a factor in his decision to leave the company. "Dave contributions have been extraordinary," said Buffett. Buffett declined to comment beyond his statement. Sokol did not immediately respond to a message left Wednesday. Glenn Tongue, a managing partner at investment firm T2Partners, Buffett says he looks like he believed he needed to disclose the purchase Lubrizol Sokol for investors. "It seems like something that would have been uncomfortable with Mr. Buffett," Tongue said. Buffett has repeatedly praised the work Sokol - especially the recovery of NetJets, he oversaw - and many investors have speculated that Sokol was on the shortlist to succeed the company Buffett Vibrams FiveFingers of Omaha, Neb.-based. Sokol addition, other managers Berkshire who are suspected to be potential successors are Ajit Jain, head of the reinsurance division of Berkshire, Greg Abel, president and CEO of MidAmerican, Tony Nicely, Geico and CEO of Burlington Northern Santa Fe CEO Matt Rose. Language Sokol said resignation shows why Buffett was smart not to nominate candidates for next CEO of Berkshire. "To be named a successor Sokol headphones by dr dre by dr dre dr monster monster dr beats headphone beats earphones monster by dreat this point and have him resign would be a bad thing", said the language. Finally, Berkshire plans to split the 80-year employment Buffett into three parts - chief executive officer, president and several managers. Buffett remains healthy and does not intend to retire, but he said the Berkshire board regularly discusses succession and who knows who he choose as CEO if an immediate need arises. Because of the departure Sokol, Buffett said Abel became president of MidAmerican, Todd Raba, president and CEO of Johns Manville, will become president, and Jordan Hansell, president of NetJets, will become president of that unit and CEO. Berkshire owns about 80 subsidiaries, including clothing, furniture and jewelry business, but its insurance and utility companies typically represent more than half the company's net income. It also has major investments in such companies as Coca-Cola Co. and Wells Fargo & Co. Berkshire has over 260,000 employees worldwide, but only 21 at its headquarters in Omaha.