Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. announced the appointment of Frank V. Balon as President and Chief Legal Officer, effective June 2, 2026, following a rigorous search process. The transition comes as founder Sumit Majumdar steps down from the presidency to become a Limited Partner and Lead Director of Energy and Agriculture at Verite Capital Partners, while retaining a long-term position on Buffalo Biodiesel's board of directors.
Balon brings extensive leadership experience from his previous role as Co-President, Chief Legal Officer, and Board Director at Steuben Foods Inc. in Elma, NY, where over 15 years he helped scale operations from 400 to nearly 800 employees. He holds a J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law and built a career in business and commercial litigation at Hiscock & Barclay and in New York City.
"Buffalo Biodiesel has been my life's work for over two decades," said Majumdar. "After screening hundreds of talented prospects, I know I am leaving this company in the hands of a highly capable visionary. Frank possesses the exact blend of operational brilliance and legal acumen needed to scale our business, but more importantly, he shares our uncompromising commitment to environmental stewardship."
Majumdar founded Buffalo Biodiesel over 20 years ago and grew it into one of the nation's largest waste cooking oil recycling operations, serving over 30,000 restaurants across 17 states. The company has established new industry standards for ethics and operations while introducing cutting-edge technology. Majumdar has been a weekly contributor to Bloomberg Green Markets and has led efforts against organized crime in the waste oil sector, resulting in successful prosecutions at local, state, and federal levels.
Under Majumdar's leadership, Buffalo Biodiesel achieved significant environmental impact. Applying the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's GWP20 standards for carbon emissions, the company prevented millions of tons of CO2e over the past two decades. In 2025 alone, it offset 685,850 tons of CO2e. Majumdar expressed confidence that Balon's leadership will drive the company to break the one-million-ton annual offset mark and set new industry benchmarks for sustainability within a year.
Balon's appointment signals a strategic move to scale operations and maintain Buffalo Biodiesel's position as a leader in the circular economy. The company specializes in recovering and transforming used cooking oil and agricultural waste streams into renewable fuels and advanced materials, with headquarters in Western New York.
For more information about Buffalo Biodiesel Inc., visit www.buffalobiodiesel.com.
