Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. has announced a series of executive appointments as the company gears up for a major expansion following a $300 million capital partnership with Verite Capital Partners. The appointments are part of a growth initiative that aims to expand the company's operations from 15 states to 25, stretching from Montreal to Miami, and create more than 600 jobs.
Frank Balon has been appointed President and Chief Legal Officer. Balon, a veteran corporate executive and attorney, previously served as Co-President, Chief Legal Officer and Board Director at Steuben Foods. He will lead the company into its next phase of growth, building on the foundation laid by founder Sumit Majumdar over two decades.
"Buffalo Biodiesel has been my life's work for over two decades. After screening hundreds of talented prospects, I know I am leaving this company in the hands of a highly capable visionary," said Sumit Majumdar, founder of Buffalo Biodiesel. "Frank possesses the exact blend of operational brilliance and legal acumen needed to scale our business."
Balon has assembled a leadership team that includes Ryan Haggerty as Chief State Litigator and General Counsel. Haggerty, a former Erie County prosecutor with more than 14 years of experience, will oversee state litigation. "Ryan's extensive courtroom experience handling high-stakes criminal conspiracies and state level litigation expands our capability to protect our assets," said Balon.
Jeremiah Lenihan has been named Chief Federal Litigator. Lenihan previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney, prosecuting organized crime, money laundering, gang activity and financial fraud cases. "Given Jerry's extensive track record in successful prosecutions at the state and federal levels, coupled with his civil practice, makes him a big help to our enforcement activities," Balon added.
The company also appointed Peter Grisanti, CPA, MBA, as Chief Financial Officer. "Peter is another component to the rapid increase in scaling for the company and we expect further key positions to be filled in the near future," said Balon.
Buffalo Biodiesel, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Buffalo, serves more than 30,000 restaurants across 15 states through one of the largest used cooking oil operations in the Northeastern U.S. The company is a premier renewable energy and recycling technology firm focused on collecting and processing renewable feedstocks to manufacture advanced carbon materials and sustainable bio-products, directly preventing greenhouse gas emissions.
Company officials say the appointments strengthen Buffalo Biodiesel's legal, financial and operational capabilities as it enters the most significant growth period in its history. The expansion is expected to have a substantial impact on the renewable energy industry, as the company scales its operations and creates hundreds of jobs across the Eastern United States. For more information, visit www.buffalobiodiesel.com.
