This post was most recently updated on March 18th, 2024
Eyewear Team
Ben Fortier, ABOC - Lead Optician LoDo
Ben is from Pasadena, CA with a bachelor’s in environmental science with a concentration in ecological restoration. Ben has been in the industry since 2012, before joining Optique in 2019. He feels like the best part of being an optician is getting to know a variety of different walks of life. He has found that working in a leadership role has been a really fun and different experience.
In his free time, you can find him hiking and exploring Colorado with his wife Claudia. He also loves playing guitar and is constantly developing new hobbies since becoming a new home-owner. Claudia and Ben have two cats, Larry and Joplin. They’re adorable, but don’t be fooled. They’re rascals.
Renee Gould, ABOC - Lead Optician SoBo
Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Renee joined our team in 2020 with a decade of optical experience. She found her calling in luxury eyewear and has not looked back, as she loves seeing people’s ecstatic reactions to our handmade eyewear and loves the industry’s progressive nature.
Outside of work, Renee is an animal lover, led by her two dogs Redford and Zara, and her “old man” cat, Max. She takes pride in her journey with Max, who started as a nervous rescue to a trusting friend. Renee is an active hiker, paddle-boarder, frisbee golfer, and wreath maker. Not only does she love fixing glasses, you can also find her trying to fix anything mechanical that she can get her hands on.
Fabian Wright, ABOC - Optician LoDo
An optician since 2019, Fabian truly enjoys finding the perfect frame to fit patients’ styles, and will always try to get you out of your comfort zone, especially if they are open to trying something new. He wants compliments coming your way!
He is originally from Jamaica but now appreciates hiking the Colorado mountains when he isn’t drawing or enjoying his friends. He tends to gravitate towards fun activities that are more group-based. Fun fact about Fabian- Funyuns is his go-to snack.
Medical Team
Janessa Gautreax, CPOC, NCLE - Ophthalmic Technician
Janessa is Chicago-born and Atlanta-raised! She is a Certified Paraoptometric and recently Certified National Contact Lens Specialist that is pursuing her B.S in Mathematics. Prior to Optique she worked in a private practice with glaucoma and cataract patients. She relishes the balance of the technical side of the work and the personable side of getting to know patients from all walks of life.
When she isn’t at the office she is usually running her wedding photography business or going on a cool hike with her daughter (who always manages to keep up with her mom!) to enjoy the views. She has family not far from Lisbon so she would love to visit Portugal to experience the food, landscape, and the culture that comes from there.
Erin Markowitz - Ophthalmic Technician
Erin is a Colorado native and came to Optique from outside of the industry. Erin has found that she enjoys learning all about eyes, especially the medical conditions and problems that can happen. She is currently the lead clinic member for South Broadway and loves to navigate through our busy clinic day efficiently and always with a smile on her face!
You can find Erin listening to true-crime podcasts while spending most of her time with her blue-eyed husky. Erin adopted Jenna in 2019 and is still very playful and loves her treats!
Alan Barwick - Ophthalmic Technician
Alan is originally from Iowa and came to Optique from outside of the industry. Alan really enjoys learning about eyes, helping with contact lenses, and learning about all the ways IPL therapy can help with dry eyes. Outside of work, Alan likes to travel around the world with his partner!
