SOLANO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has a new director at the helm and it’s someone with deep ties to both the organization and the local community.

Michael Basayne, a Small Business Development Center advisor since 2009, officially stepped into the director role at the Solano-Napa center on Feb. 3. He takes the reins from the retiring Tim Murrill, who Basayne has worked closely with for three years as a lead business advisor for the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside our staff and advisors in Napa and Solano Counties providing cutting-edge resources to help our small businesses thrive,” Basayne said. “I have been part of the SBDC network for over 15 years and I’m quite proud of our local center and its contributions to the community.” 

Basayne brings a wealth of experience to his new position, spanning decades of work in business financing, consulting and government, with specialized expertise in agriculture, the wine industry and real estate.

During his 15 years of Small Business Development Center advising with the Sonoma and Solano-Napa centers, Basayne has worked with hundreds of small business owners on financing, business planning, marketing and succession and transition planning. 

Most recently, as lead business advisor, Basayne served as the facilitator for the Solano Success and Napa Success Business Accelerators. Between 2023 and 2024, over 150 business owners in both counties successfully completed the seven-week accelerator program.

“I am so grateful Tim Murrill asked me to lead the Accelerator program because it gave me the opportunity to know our local business owners on a deeper, personal level,” Basayne said. “The business community in Solano and Napa is full of incredibly resilient and hard-working entrepreneurs who continue to inspire me each day.” 

Since 2020, Basayne has led hundreds of businesses through the process of applying for COVID-19 recovery programs. He has also been involved in business advising for the Solano County Biz-Grow Revolving Loan Fund and assisted businesses in Napa County with wildfire recovery programs and childcare grants.

The Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center is hosted by the Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Solano County. The organizations often partner to provide programs and resources for the local business community.

“Michael Basayne is the right leader to guide the Solano-Napa SBDC into its next successful chapter,” said Heather Henry, President/Executive Director of the Solano Workforce Development Board. “His passion for, and understanding of, small businesses in our region will be a great asset to our communities.” 

Basayne’s banking career began in agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley and expanded to encompass commercial, corporate and investment banking. His work eventually focused on supporting California’s renowned wine-growing regions, where he assisted grape growers with vineyard development and winery operations. 

The Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center, part of the Northern California Small Business Development Center Network, provides no-cost, one-on-one business advising and free business trainings. There are over 30 advisors available to assist clients in all aspects of business ownership, from planning and opening a business to marketing, finance, management, and succession planning. Learn more at solanonapasbdc.org.