The AVANCEN Team

Executive Staff AVANCEN has brought together 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.



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.

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.

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.

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.