Mahoney Taps 20-Year Veteran for Top Role Amid Green Fuel Boom

WOODRIDGE, IL – March 13, 2026 – Mahoney Environmental, a cornerstone of the U.S. used cooking oil (UCO) recycling industry, has announced a significant leadership transition at a pivotal moment for the renewable energy sector. Tim Zak, the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing who has guided the company’s commercial strategy for 12 years, will retire on April 6, 2026. He will be succeeded by Beau Mega, a 20-year company veteran promoted from his role as VP of National Sales, Fresh Oil, and Marketing.

The executive shuffle is more than a routine personnel change; it signals a strategic move toward continuity for a company that has become an indispensable part of the global sustainable fuels supply chain. As a subsidiary of Finnish renewable fuels giant Neste, Mahoney’s role in converting restaurant waste into valuable feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel has never been more critical.

A Legacy of Growth and a Future of Continuity

Tim Zak’s tenure at Mahoney Environmental has been marked by significant expansion. Since joining in 2014, he has been instrumental in broadening the company's sales operations and solidifying its national footprint. Under his leadership, the company modernized its customer-facing tools, including a major website overhaul in 2018 designed to enhance user experience and mobile accessibility.

"Tim has been an invaluable part of Mahoney Environmental's growth and success over the past 12 years," said Dave Kimball, CEO and President of Mahoney Environmental, in a statement. "His leadership, vision, and dedication to our customers have helped shape the company we are today. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him all the best."

Stepping into this critical role is Beau Mega, whose career at Mahoney Environmental began in 2005. His promotion from within underscores a strategy focused on stability and deep institutional knowledge. Having held various positions across the company, Mega possesses a comprehensive understanding of the entire business ecosystem—from fresh oil sales to the complex logistics of UCO collection and its role in the broader market.

This internal promotion ensures a seamless transition, preventing disruption in a supply chain where reliability is paramount. Mega will inherit a robust operation and be tasked with steering it through a period of unprecedented opportunity.

"I am honored to step into this role and build on the strong foundation Tim established," Mega stated. "I look forward to continuing to serve our customers and partners, and to working with our talented team to drive Mahoney Environmental's next chapter."

The Engine Room of the Green Revolution

Founded in 1953, Mahoney Environmental has long operated behind the scenes, providing an essential service to the foodservice industry. The company partners with national chains, independent restaurants, and even airport concessions to manage a critical, and often messy, part of their operations: the disposal of used cooking oil. By installing and servicing collection equipment, Mahoney transforms a waste product into a valuable commodity.

The company’s significance was cast into the global spotlight in 2020 when it was acquired by Neste, the world's leading producer of renewable diesel and SAF. The acquisition was a strategic move by Neste to secure and expand its access to raw materials in North America. With approximately 90% of its renewable feedstocks derived from waste and residue streams, Neste’s entire business model hinges on the efficient and reliable collection of materials like UCO, which Mahoney provides on a massive scale.

This makes Mahoney Environmental a critical first link in a complex chain that turns a restaurant’s deep fryer grease into fuel that can power a commercial airliner. The company’s EPA and ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) credentials are not just badges; they are a necessary passport for its product to enter the highly regulated global biofuels market, ensuring traceability and adherence to strict sustainability standards.

Tapping into the 'Green Gold' Rush

The market for used cooking oil is no longer a niche waste management business; it is a burgeoning commodity market often referred to as 'green gold.' The global UCO market, valued at nearly $7 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 7%, driven by the insatiable demand for low-carbon fuel feedstocks.

This growth is fueled by a combination of consumer demand for sustainable products, corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, and powerful government incentives. Mahoney is positioned at the epicenter of this boom. The company's expertise is not just in collecting oil but in doing so with maximum efficiency, boasting a near 100% material recovery rate at its facilities.

Technological innovation is key to maintaining this leadership position. The industry is moving far beyond simple collection bins. Modern systems, like those Mahoney implements, can involve automated, direct-to-tank connections that improve safety and hygiene in commercial kitchens. Furthermore, the use of remote monitoring and data-driven logistics allows for optimized collection routes, reducing the carbon footprint of the collection process itself and ensuring a steady, predictable flow of feedstock to Neste’s refineries.

Navigating a Market Fueled by Policy and Demand

Beau Mega takes the helm as global policies are set to turbocharge the demand for Mahoney's end product. In Europe, the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation mandates a steadily increasing blend of SAF for all flights, starting in 2025. In the United States, tax credits and state-level programs like California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard create powerful financial incentives for producing and using renewable fuels.

This policy-driven demand is creating a highly competitive environment for raw materials. As airlines, shipping companies, and logistics firms race to meet their decarbonization targets, the value of traceable, certified UCO will only increase. Neste itself is undertaking a massive expansion, with its Rotterdam refinery set to more than double its capacity by 2027, making it the world's largest facility for producing renewable diesel and SAF.

This expansion is entirely dependent on a scaled-up, resilient supply of raw materials. Mahoney’s mission under its new sales and marketing leadership will be to not only defend its market share but to continue expanding its collection network to feed this growing global demand. The leadership’s ability to navigate complex customer relationships, optimize logistics, and communicate the value of participation in the circular economy will be central to the company’s continued success and its vital contribution to the energy transition.