Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. announced the appointment of Frank V. Balon as President and Chief Legal Officer, effective June 2, 2026. The move comes as founder and outgoing President Sumit Majumdar transitions to a role as a Limited Partner and Lead Director of Energy and Agriculture at Verite Capital Partners.
Balon previously served 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 practiced business and commercial litigation at Hiscock & Barclay in Buffalo 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 highlighted the company’s environmental impact, noting that under his leadership, Buffalo Biodiesel prevented millions of tons of CO2 equivalent emissions over the last 20 years, applying the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s GWP20 standards. In 2025 alone, the company offset 685,850 tons of CO2e. “As Frank takes the helm, I firmly believe his leadership will drive us to break the one-million-ton annual offset mark and set new industry benchmarks for sustainability within a year,” Majumdar added.
Founded in 2005, Buffalo Biodiesel has grown into one of the largest waste cooking oil recycling operations in the nation, serving over 30,000 restaurants across 17 states. The company specializes in recovering and transforming used cooking oil and agricultural waste into renewable fuels and advanced materials, contributing to a circular economy.
Majumdar, an internationally recognized expert on waste oil collection and processing, has been a weekly contributor to Bloomberg Green Markets. He has also been an outspoken advocate against corruption, spearheading efforts to combat organized crime in the waste oil sector that led to successful prosecutions at local, state, and federal levels.
Following the transition, Majumdar will remain on the Board of Directors for Buffalo Biodiesel and focus on his venture capital duties in green energy and agriculture at Verite Capital Partners.
The appointment signals a leadership change aimed at sustaining growth and environmental leadership. For more information, visit Buffalo Biodiesel.
