Buffalo Biodiesel Inc., a leading waste cooking oil recycler, has appointed Frank V. Balon as its new President and Chief Legal Officer, effective June 2, 2026. Balon, formerly Co-President and Chief Legal Officer at Steuben Foods Inc., will lead the company as founder Sumit Majumdar steps down to focus on his role as a Limited Partner and Lead Director of Energy and Agriculture at Verite Capital Partners.
Balon brings over 15 years of leadership experience from Steuben Foods, where he helped scale operations from 400 to nearly 800 employees. A graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law, he practiced business and commercial litigation in New York City and Buffalo at Hiscock & Barclay. His appointment follows a rigorous search, with Majumdar stating that Balon possesses "the exact blend of operational brilliance and legal acumen needed to scale our business" and shares the company's commitment to environmental stewardship.
Founded in 2005, Buffalo Biodiesel has grown into one of the largest waste cooking oil recyclers in the U.S., serving over 30,000 restaurants across 17 states. Under Majumdar's leadership, the company has prevented millions of tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions, offsetting 685,850 tons in 2025 alone, according to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation GWP20 standards. Majumdar expressed confidence that Balon will drive the company to surpass one million tons in annual offsets within a year. For more information, visit Buffalo Biodiesel's website.
Majumdar, who has been a weekly contributor to Bloomberg Green Markets, is recognized internationally for his expertise in waste oil collection and processing. He also led efforts to combat organized crime in the waste oil sector, resulting in successful prosecutions at local, state, and federal levels. He will remain on Buffalo Biodiesel's Board of Directors while focusing on venture capital in green energy and agriculture.
The transition marks a new chapter for Buffalo Biodiesel as it aims to set new industry benchmarks for sustainability. Balon's appointment signals continuity in the company's mission to reduce carbon emissions and expand its circular economy operations.
