The AVANCEN Team

Executive Staff Avancen has a seasoned management team with an enviable track record of success. This team brings imagination, innovation and the expertise of medicine, business, finance and engineering technology to the company for the development of its products.



Ned Buffington
Chief Executive Officer Ned Buffington


Mr. Buffington obtained a BS in Business and Economics from Rollins College and has 35 years experience in economics, finance, senior management, marketing and business development. He has owned and managed his own companies as well as functioning in the capacity of C.E.O., General Manager and Executive Director of other successful companies. For the last 10 years, Mr. Buffington has worked with multiple emerging, high growth start-up companies in senior management positions with the responsibility for strategic planning, business plan implementation and capital strategy & acquisition.

Russ McCall, J.D
Chief Operating Officer Russ McCall, J.D


Russ McCall is a strategic leader with extensive experience successfully positioning start-up medical companies in competitive global markets. His experience as Corporate Counsel and a Mergers and Acquisitions attorney provide a compliance-based approach to management. Under Russ's leadership, companies have earned National Hospital Association recognition for superior customer service (surpassing industry giants); dramatically increased stock values; drastically cut operating costs; and have enhanced sales and marketing efforts in support of a healthier bottom line. Russ graduated from Bob Jones University with a Business Management degree and earned his J.D. in Corporate Law from Emory University, Atlanta Law School. Mr. McCall served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corp and is an active community member.

Sharon Conley MD PhD
Chief Medical Officer
Founder and Product Development Sharon Conley,  MD PhD

Dr. Conley earned a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, which was followed by 10 years of experience as a bench researcher in molecular biology. She then obtained her MD at the University of Missouri and trained in Internal Medicine followed by a fellowship in Medical Oncology/Hematology at the University of Florida. She practiced as a medical oncologist at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, from 1991 to 2003. Dr. Conley currently serves as a consultant for clinical research organizations and has authored multiple clinical trial documents and research papers.

William (Bill) S. Westin, CMA
Chief Financial Officer William (Bill) S. Westin, CMA


Bill Westin is the founder and principal of WSW Financial, LLC. Over the past twenty-five years, he has held numerous senior financial positions, including CFO, treasurer, and controller. His experience covers a wide range of industries and companies ranging in size from start-up to 5 billion dollars. Mr. Westin is active in the Charleston business community, working with the Charleston Digital Corridor and EXECnetSC through the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. He is a founding member of Charleston First (a business/government forum) to ensure the health of businesses throughout the greater Charleston area. He holds an MBA in Finance and a BS in Computer Systems from San Diego State University.

Ron Garrett
Vice President Market Development Ron Garrett


Ron Garrett is an accomplished executive with more than 20 years experience in building and aligning organizations to achieve dramatic bottom-line results. He holds an MBA in International Marketing, an MA in Social Sciences, and a BS in Administration of Justice. He is an astute strategist and forecaster with a consistent track record of implementing solutions that rapidly generate revenue, facilitate growth, and drive competitors out of the market. Mr. Garrett's dynamic career spans health care, telecommunications, public safety, and military intelligence.

Angela Cassano, Pharm. D., BCPS
Pharmacy Consultant Angela Cassano, Pharm. D., BCPS


Angela Cassano has extensive education and experience in hospital pharmacy operations. Dr. Cassano has worked in various capacities within hospital pharmacies, most notably as a Clinical Pharmacist, Assistant Health System Director of Quality Assurance and Drug Safety, and as the Assistant Health System Director for Clinical Pharmacy Programs. Dr. Cassano's clinical sub-specialties in Adult Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Neonatology draw on her experience gained during two post-graduate residencies. Additionally, her research efforts and subsequent presentations and publications have allowed her to excel in regulatory compliance, quality assurance and medication safety.

Samara Bay
Director, Communications and Investor Relations Samara Bay


Samara Bay has provided marketing direction and creative communication concepts for a diverse collection of US companies for more than 20 years. She has directed, developed, and implemented both traditional and web-based marketing/promotional campaigns and training programs and has been responsible for budgets ranging from $250,000 to $25,000,000. Her experience includes business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing, customer and dealer promotions, training, incentives and recognition.

Sherrie Miara, RN, MSN, CRNA
Regional Sales Director Sherrie Miara, RN, MSN, CRNA


Ms. Miara has more than 15 years experience working in hospital environments in multiple capacities and disciplines, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and holds a Masters of Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh. She has been an active community member and resident of Pittsburgh for more than 35 years.

Meg McCoy RN, BS, CCRN
Regional Sales Director Meg McCoy RN, BS, CCRN


Meg McCoy is a Registered Nurse with eight years of in-hospital experience in Pain Management and Critical Care. She holds advanced certifications for both the critically ill adult and pediatric patient. Meg earned her Associates of Applied Science in Nursing from CCM in New Jersey and her Bachelors of Science in Sociology from Clemson University in Clemson, SC. She resides in Charleston, South Carolina.

Domenic V. Nardini
Regional Sales Director Domenic V. Nardini


Domenic Nardini is a seasoned medical device sales professional with expertise and experience in the areas of neurosurgical and spine products, including Aneurysm Clips, Shunts, Craniofixation, Neuroendoscopy Systems, Drills, PEEK implants, Expandable VBR's, Plates, Screws, Rods, Kyphoplasty and OrthoBiologics. Prior to entering medical device sales, Mr. Nardini was the Founder/President of a sales executive recruiting firm specializing in the placement of sales professionals selling spinal implants. Domenic is very active in his community and is a life-time Philadelphia/Tri-State area resident.

Debra Roach, RN, BA
Regional Sales Director Debra Roach, RN, BA


Deb Roach is an accomplished medical sales executive and consultant, with extensive experience in developing and leading clinical systems processes, work flow analysis/process improvement strategies, and marketing initiatives for companies such as Omnicell, McKesson, Care Fusion, and Bridge Medical, Inc.. She is a Registered Nurse with licensure in four states, an active member of the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives, and is a published author and recognized public speaker. Ms. Roach has a BA from Webster University, earned her Nursing Degree from the Mennonite Hospital School of Nursing, and has earned numerous awards throughout her career for outstanding achievements in both business and healthcare.