The owners of two New York State small businesses were honored during the 2024 MWBE Forum in Albany, as recipients of the Carey Gabay Excellence and Innovation Award. The award recognizes MWBEs that have demonstrated excellence in New York State government contracting through revenue generation, contract participation, and overall innovative strategies.
As part of Women’s History Month, their stories can inspire other women to follow their entrepreneurial goals.
Erin Weiman is the owner and CEO of Nunn’s Home Medical Equipment, a WBE-certified, full-service respiratory and durable medical equipment company with locationsin Rome and Syracuse, N.Y.
Weiman, who joined the business in 2006, represents the third generation to own and operate this family-owned business that was founded by her grandfather, Martin J. Nunn, in 1942.
Weiman has spearheaded the acquisition of two other companies, numerous contracts, and more than tripled the number of employees within the company since she first joined the organization. Her focus is to improve the health of those they serve with a commitment to excellence in all that they do. Her goal is to offer quality care and programs that set community standards, exceed patients' expectations, and are provided in a caring, convenient, cost-effective and accessible manner.
Ashley Knox-Alleyne founded Go Beyond Greatness, Inc. (GBG), with her husband, Azriel, in 2014. The Kingston-based, MWBE-certified educational consultancy provides leadership and workforce development training for state and government agencies, including New York State Education Department districts, SUNY campuses, and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Through GBG, Knox-Alleyne has guided thousands of students with college visits, internships, and career opportunities, notably partnering with the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County, NoVo Foundation and Ulster Savings Bank.
Her philanthropic involvement includes serving on the Board of Trustees for the Community Foundations of Hudson Valley and Chairwoman of its Ulster Advisory Board. She has inspired audiences as a speaker at the Association of New York State Youth Bureaus, New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals’ Youth Conference, SUNY New Paltz Climate Solutions Summit and Eleanor Roosevelt Girls’ Leadership Worldwide.
In addition to the Carey Gabay honor, she has received the SUNY New Paltz 40 Under Forty Award, NYS Assembly Certificate of Merit, Michael P. Hein Ulster County Executive Youth Excellence Advocate Award, Pride of Ulster County Legislature Award, YWCA Tribute to Women, and the YMCA Hometown Hero Award. Recognized by former Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan in his 2020 State of the County address, Knox-Alleyne is dedicated to building the next generation. Looking ahead, she aims to reach global audiences as a motivational speaker, inspiring all to “go beyond greatness.”