Devon Spurgeon, Warren Buffett's Chief Of Staff, Keeps Hilarious Business Card: 'You Don't Call Me. I Call You'

Yesterday was Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett's birthday. And while the 81-year-old's public perception is that of an affable billionaire, his chief of staff would appear more severe. According to The New York Observer, she's carrying business cards with an unambiguous message: I'll be in contact if I feel like it.

At last May's premiere of HBO's Too Big To Fail, Warren Buffett's Chief of Staff Devon Spurgeon reportedly handed the business card seen below to New York Observer reporter Foster Kamer, after Kamer tried to ask Buffett a question about farming investments.

The card read: "Telephone: You don't call me. I call you."

But Spurgeon's isn't the only business card with attitude. According to CNNMoney, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg carried two business cards in the early days of the company. One simply identified his position in the company, the other doing so with some extra emphasis. "I'm CEO B*itch!" it reportedly read.

Buffett, the third richest man in the world, has lately often found himself in the news, both for light and more serious reasons. Just before Buffett's birthday, The New York Post published an editorial bringing light to the fact that Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway owes taxes going back nearly a decade, which the paper used as reason to attack his position that America's richest taxpayers should pay more taxes. Last week, Buffett admitted he dreamt up a deal to invest $5 billion in Bank of America while bathing.

The New York Observer notes that Spurgeon, a former Wall Street Journal reporter, was admitted to Buffett's inner-ring in 2004. Interestingly, that's despite Buffett criticizing a "glaring error" in a WSJ story she co-wrote in 2001.

Spurgeon also faced controversy while working at the Washington Post. Back in 1998, an article appeared in the Washingtonian concerning claims of sexual harassment made by Spurgeon against co-worker and columnist Richard Cohen. He was consequently moved to a different floor.

See what the New York Observer is calling the "best business card ever" here:

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that Spurgeon worked at the New York Post, when she really worked at the Washington Post. The error has been corrected.

Comments

[Jono Cuie]

03:22 PM on 09/03/2011

Its poor form to publish her private e-mail address.

[DomainDiva]

09:29 AM on 09/02/2011

If any of my inner circle were to present a business card like that they would be terminated immediately. This to me reflects badly upon Buffet himself. (It's a good snark...but that's about all.)

[Holly Smoke]

05:40 AM on 09/02/2011

I myself discourage acquaintances from voice calling but Email as the more non intrusive and efficient way of communication.

[MayorsRevenge]

03:02 AM on 09/02/2011

These are the guys you give all your money to. Unless of course you save.

[Thehapypig]

02:22 AM on 09/02/2011

Aw, it's so cute how Liberals have taken Buffett under their wing after his little PR move with Obama.

A month ago HP would have used Buffett as an example of affluent billionaires without a conscience.

[MichaelMcKLA]

03:05 AM on 09/02/2011

"A month ago HP would have used Buffett as an example of affluent billionair­es without a conscience­."

That is total baloney. In fact, your entire post is baloney. You want your baloney on wheat or white? Mayo or mustard?

[Thehapypig]

03:43 AM on 09/02/2011

Hahahaha

[Sunwyn Ravenwood]

03:14 AM on 09/02/2011

Lets see, he gave $30 billion (yes, billion with a b) to The Gates Foundation, and gives millions more away every year to charity. He may or not have a conscience but you, O Hapy Pig don't have anything much in the way of a brain.

[thereisonlyoneparty]

08:43 AM on 09/03/2011

The numbers are big nominally, but in real terms they do not matter.  It would be like you dropping a penny in the Salvation Army kettle.  It has no effect on your finances.

Buffet still lives the lifestyle to which he is accustomed.   Worse his donations are not taxed as a part of his estate.   Would it be so bad if the government got 35% of Buffet's accumulated wealth and charity got the rest?   Buffet is always saying he should pay more.

[Brenda Starr]

08:45 PM on 09/01/2011

I think that is sooo funny!

[Trevor Lahey]

07:29 PM on 09/01/2011

That's great. James Maynard Keenan (singer from Tool and A Perfect Circle) used to carry business cards that said "Jesus H. Christ."

[srooge]

05:56 PM on 09/01/2011

ALLHAILKINGBUFFET!

[Mary Blickhahn]

05:45 PM on 09/01/2011

Wow what A$$es

[Sunwyn Ravenwood]

03:15 AM on 09/02/2011

Disgusting epithets are not a substitute for creative thought, O misbegotten offspring of a j@ck@ss and a billygoat.

[matt spedale]

02:23 PM on 09/01/2011

What a pimp

[Sunwyn Ravenwood]

03:16 AM on 09/02/2011

Tell me O pathetic guttersnipe, why you are calling yourself a pimp?

[PCMinistry]

01:25 PM on 09/08/2011

It seems odd to me, that someone who is clearly intelligent enough to speak well can also be so quick to lash out at a completely stranger. Especially with an obscure english insult like "guttersnipe". Most intelligentsia are significantly less emotive.

[psnyder325]

12:45 PM on 09/01/2011

Completely understandable. If her phone number was listed, she'd constantly be bugged by reporters et. al. and not get her work done, or would have to hire tons of assistants to handle the calls. But she would not, likely, take calls anyway....few top people do. If they do, they get solicited for every stupid cause on the earth, and harassed by reporters, etc. So, no, I don't blame her.

[republicofberkeley]

04:59 AM on 09/02/2011

She can't afford a few secretaries? I just find it extremely arrogant...

[JAVA VB]

11:56 AM on 09/01/2011

well,there is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it.

[Bishop Coxcomb]

11:25 AM on 09/01/2011

You don't call me, you call my secretary and set up a period of time to speak with me.

[Regal Royal]

11:16 AM on 09/01/2011

Reading the article reminded me of the saying:

Be Careful Who You Step On On Your Way Up, they will be there on your way down too.

I never wish bad on anyone but it would not surprise me if in 10 years time I am reading a story about this lady, who has hit harder times, and this card is mentioned again.