8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 9, 2007

AVENTINE RENEWABLE ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-32922	05-0569368
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1300 South 2nd Street Pekin, IL	61554
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:     (309)  347-9200

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02  Departure of Directors or Principal Officers;  Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

On March 9, 2007, Daniel R. Trunfio was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc (the “Company”), effective March 19, 2007.  Mr. Trunfio will serve as the Company’s Principal Operations Officer and will report to Ronald H Miller, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Trunfio, 45, spent 23 years with the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.  Mr. Trunfio most recently led the development and implementation of Shell’s 1st and 2nd generation bio-fuel strategies and operations worldwide.  In this role, Mr. Trunfio was responsible for coordinating bio-fuel issues for Shell in the Americas working as a liaison with external stakeholders and Governments.  In addition, he was also responsible for managing Shell’s bio-fuel alliances in the Americas.  While at Shell, Mr. Trunfio’s experience included positions (both domestic and internationally) in retail sales, marketing, supply, trading, e-commerce, strategy, product development and bio-fuels.  Mr. Trunfio has a strong track record for developing, delivering and growing businesses.

In connection with his hiring and appointment as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Trunfio accepted the terms of the Company’s offer letter, dated February 7, 2007, providing for at-will employment.  Pursuant to the offer letter, Mr. Trunfio will receive a starting annual base salary of $300,000, and will be eligible for a maximum annual bonus payout of 70% under the Company’s Annual Performance Incentive Plan.  Mr. Trunfio will also receive a net signing bonus of $100,000.  Mr. Trunfio will be eligible for equity grants in accordance with the Company’s 2003 Equity Incentive Plan, and will be granted an initial $1 million in restricted stock and 200,000 non-qualified stock options on March 19, 2007.  Mr. Trunfio will be granted another non-qualified option to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on each of March 19, 2008 and 2009.  Each of these options and restricted stock will vest over a 5-year period and the options will have an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the grant date.  Mr. Trunfio will be eligible for benefits under the Company’s relocation policy, and will receive reasonable temporary living expenses in connection with his permanent relocation.  Mr. Trunfio will participate in the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan, if and when such a plan is implemented, and will also be entitled to the other benefits available to employees and to senior executive officers of the Company.

There are no family relationships between Mr. Trunfio and any director, executive officer or person nominated or chosen to become a director or executive officer of the Company.  Mr. Trunfio is not party to, and does not have a direct or indirect material interest in, any transactions or arrangements with the Company other than in connection with his employment as described in this report.

A copy of the Company’s press release, dated March 9, 2007, announcing Mr. Trunfio’s appointment is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)           Financial statements of businesses acquired — Not Applicable

(b)           Pro forma financial information — Not Applicable

(d)Exhibits

Exhibit No.             Description

99.1Press release, dated March 9, 2007, issued by Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc, announcing the appointment of Daniel R. Trunfio as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereto duly authorized.

Dated:  March 9, 2007

AVENTINE RENEWABLE ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.

By: /s/ William J. Brennan

William J. Brennan

Principal Accounting Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.             Description

99.1Press release, dated March 9, 2007, issued by Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc, announcing the appointment of Daniel R. Trunfio as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.

EX-99.1

Contact: Les Nelson
Director — Investor Relations
(309) 347-9709

Aventine Adds Shell Executive to Its Senior Management Team

Daniel R. Trunfio Appointed Chief Operating Officer

PEKIN, IL., (March 9, 2007) — Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AVR), a leading producer, marketer and end-to-end supplier of ethanol, today announced, that Daniel R. Trunfio, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, effective March 19, 2007.  The position of Chief Operating Officer is a new position within Aventine.  Mr. Trunfio joins Aventine from the Royal Dutch/Shell Group, the largest bio-fuels marketer in the world and recognized global leader in 2nd generation bio-fuels technology, where he was in various leadership roles including General Manager and Vice President.  Mr. Trunfio will report to Ron Miller, Aventine’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Commenting on the announcement, Ron Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aventine, said, “Dan brings more than 23 years of successful management experience in the energy and biofuels sector.  From a strategic perspective, Dan’s global mindset will be an invaluable asset in supporting our business and growth opportunities.  We welcome Dan to the Aventine team and look forward to the contributions he will make to our Company.”

Mr. Trunfio, 45, spent 23 years with the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.  Mr. Trunfio most recently led the development and implementation of Shell’s 1st and 2nd generation bio-fuel strategies and operations worldwide.  In this role, Mr. Trunfio was responsible for coordinating bio-fuel issues for Shell in the Americas working as a liaison with external stakeholders and Governments.  In addition, he was also responsible for managing Shell’s bio-fuel alliances in the Americas.  While at Shell, Mr. Trunfio’s experience included positions (both domestic and internationally) in retail sales, marketing, supply, trading, e-commerce, strategy, product development and bio-fuels.  Mr. Trunfio has a strong track record for developing, delivering and growing businesses.

About Aventine

Aventine is a leading producer, marketer and end-to-end distributor of ethanol in the United States.  Aventine produces, markets and distributes ethanol to leading energy companies.  In addition to ethanol, it is also a producer of distillers grains, corn gluten feed, corn germ and brewers’ yeast.

Internet address is www.aventinerei.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information included in this press release may be deemed to be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release, are forward looking statements.  Any forward looking statements are not guarantees of Aventine’s future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that

could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward looking statements.  Aventine disclaims any duty to update any forward looking statements.  Some of the factors that may cause Aventine’s actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward looking statements include the following:

·Changes in or elimination of laws, tariffs, trade or other controls or enforcement practices such as:

·National, state or local energy policy;

·Federal ethanol tax incentives;

·Regulation currently proposed and/or under consideration which may increase the existing renewable fuel standard and other legislation mandating the usage of ethanol;

·State and federal regulation restricting or banning the use of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether;

·Environmental laws and regulations applicable to Aventine’s operations and the enforcement thereof;

·Changes in weather and general economic conditions;

·Overcapacity within the ethanol and petroleum refining industries;

·Total United States consumption of gasoline;

·Availability and costs of products and raw materials, particularly corn, coal and natural gas;

·Labor relations;

·Fluctuations in petroleum prices;

·The impact on margins from a change in the relationship between prices received from the sale of co-products and the price paid for corn;

·Aventine’s or its employees’ failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations;

·Aventine’s ability to generate free cash flow to invest in its business and service any indebtedness;

·Limitations and restrictions contained in the instruments and agreements governing Aventine’s indebtedness;

·Aventine’s ability to raise additional capital and secure additional financing, and our ability to service such debt, if

obtained;

·Aventine’s ability to retain key employees;

·Liability resulting from actual or potential future litigation;

·Competition;

·Plant shutdowns or disruptions at our plant or plants whose products we market;

·Availability of rail cars and barges;

·Renewal of alliance partner contracts;

·Our ability to receive and/or renew permits to construct and/or commence operations of our proposed capacity additions in a timely manner, or at all; and

·Fluctuations in earnings resulting from increases or decreases in the value of ethanol inventory