Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. has announced a series of senior leadership appointments as the company moves forward with a major expansion plan supported by a $300 million capital partnership with Verite Capital Partners.
Established in 2005 and based in Buffalo, the company currently serves more than 30,000 restaurants across 15 states through its used cooking oil operations, one of the largest in the Northeastern United States. The planned expansion will extend operations into 25 states, covering a corridor from Montreal to Miami, and is expected to create more than 600 jobs, Biodiesel Magazine reported.
Frank Balon has been appointed President and Chief Legal Officer to lead the company through its next phase of growth. Balon previously served as Co-President, Chief Legal Officer and Board Director at Steuben Foods.
Founder Sumit Majumdar said the transition follows an extensive search process and expressed confidence in the company’s future leadership.
As part of the leadership buildout, former Erie County prosecutor Ryan Haggerty has joined as Chief State Litigator and General Counsel. Haggerty spent more than 14 years with the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and will oversee state litigation matters.
The company has also appointed former Assistant United States Attorney Jeremiah Lenihan as Chief Federal Litigator. Lenihan previously handled prosecutions involving organised crime, money laundering, gang-related activity and financial fraud.
Peter Grisanti, CPA and MBA, has been named Chief Financial Officer to support the company’s financial operations during the expansion phase.
According to company officials, the appointments are intended to strengthen Buffalo Biodiesel’s legal, financial and operational functions as it enters what it describes as one of the most significant growth periods in its history.
