Exhibit
10.1


       

       

       

       

       

       

      March
5, 2009

      


      George T.
Henning, Jr.

      1415
Circleville Rd.

      State
College, PA 16803

      


      Dear
George:

      


      We are
pleased to make the following offer to you to join Aventine Renewable Energy,
Inc. as Interim Chief Financial Officer.

      


      
        	 
      	
                · 

              	
                Your
      annual base salary will be $300,000

              
	 
      	
                · 

              	
                Tentative
      start date is March 9, 2009

              
	 
      	
                · 

              	
                You
      will receive the normal Aventine benefits for which you may be
      eligible

              
	 
      	
                · 

              	
                You
      will be eligible for a potential annual bonus as the Board of Directors
      may determine

              
	 
      	
                · 

              	
                You
      will need to complete an employment application, submit to drug/alcohol
      testing, Bradley testing, and all other typical conditions of employment
      with Aventine

              
	 
      	
                · 

              	
                You
      are entitled to one (1) week of paid vacation for the remainder of 2009
      and will be granted such additional time off as appropriate for you to
      meet your Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees obligations and
      participate in related activities

              
	 
      	
                · 

              	
                In
      addition to the eight (8) paid company holidays, you are entitled to two
      (2) Personal Days

              
	 
      	
                · 

              	
                As
      Interim CFO, you will receive Aventine’s standard Director and Officer
      liability coverage and corporate indemnification for all actions taken in
      your role as Chief Financial Officer

              
	 
      	
                · 

              	
                Aventine
      will also pay all reasonable costs directly related to your performance in
      this position; these costs include but are not limited to long distance
      phone charges, business meeting expenses, lodging, travel, entertainment,
      out-of-pocket business expenses and similar costs directly related to your
      performance in this position.  These expenses shall be
      compensated as such a rate as to avoid any negative personal tax
      implications for you.

              
	 
      	 
      	 
      


      

      If you
are agreeable to these terms, please sign one copy and return in the enclosed
envelope for our records.  Please note that this letter is for
informational purposes only and is not considered an employment
contract.

      


      
        
           

        

        
           

          
            

          

        

        
           

        

         

      

      We are
excited to offer this opportunity to you and the Aventine team is looking
forward to working with you in your new position.

      


      Sincerely,


      


      


      Ronald H.
Miller

      President
& CEO

      


      


      Accepted:

      


      


      /s/ George T. Henning,
Jr.

      George T.
Henning, Jr.