About Barter & Shake

Mat Snapp is a Partner in Barter & Shake Cocktail Entertainment and the Chief Operating Officer. Snapp grew up in the Rocky Mountains and moved to Phoenix, where he attended Arizona State University, studying English Literature, Creative Writing, and French. Most recently, he held the role of Beverage Director for Fox Restaurant Concepts from 2011 to 2021. At FRC, he ran the beverage programs for a dozen unique concepts with over fifty locations nationwide, including brands North Italia, True Food Kitchen, Culinary Dropout, Flower Child, and Blanco Tacos + Tequila. His work with Sam Fox continued to Fox’s new project in Nashville’s upper Broadway area, The Twelve Thirty Club, a multi-concept space with five bar programs spanning over 39,000 square feet. Snapp lives downtown with his wife, Mikaela, and their dachshund, Wallace Monroe. He is a fan of sweatshirts, Syrah, and making people laugh.

Originally hailing from San Diego, Cortnie’s career in the hospitality industry began with a remarkable 12-year tenure at Starbucks Coffee Company. It was there that she developed a profound passion for creating an incredible company culture. Leveraging this passion and knowledge, she embarked on a new venture in San Francisco, where her journey then led her deeper into the world of hospitality.

Cortnie relocated to Phoenix to take on the role of Vice President of Operations for Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality. During her tenure with Barter & Shake, the team has achieved significant accolades, including winning Best U.S. Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail and being listed as one of the Top 50 Bars in North America for two consecutive years. Cortnie’s career is driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, fueled by her passion for cultivating an unparalleled company culture and her dedication to developing teams that excel in hospitality.

Born in Kosovo, Albonit began his hospitality journey in Sedona, Arizona, where his family settled after migrating from Europe. His career started humbly at the Black Cow Cafe, a small ice cream shop that employed Albonit and his three siblings. He quickly developed a passion for hospitality and honed his craft at world-renowned resorts, including Enchantment Resort, L’Auberge de Sedona, and Amara Resort, where he gained invaluable experience in delivering exceptional guest experiences.

After establishing himself in Sedona, Albonit took on an exciting consulting opportunity at The Tides Inn, a luxury resort in Virginia. Following nine months in this role, he returned to Arizona to focus on launching new venues and projects in the Phoenix area, including Don Woods’ Say When. Albonit joined Barter & Shake as a bartender and swiftly rose through the ranks to become General Manager, a role he held for three years. Today, he serves as a Director with Barter & Shake, bringing his signature warmth, expertise, and dedication to all of the company’s Arizona locations.

Jack Allen is the Beverage Director at Barter & Shake, where his journey has been nothing short of impressive. Starting on the prep team at Century Grand three years ago, his persistence, curiosity, and drive quickly propelled him into leadership. As Commissary Manager, he not only led the Prep Team but also managed ordering, shipping, and receiving across all five Barter & Shake properties.

In this elevated role, Jack honed his craft under the guidance of industry mentors, refining his cocktail expertise. Now, he shares that knowledge with the Barter & Shake team, playing a key role in cocktail creation and the creative process.

A Phoenix native, Jack enjoys unwinding with a good book and experimenting in the kitchen alongside his wife, Julia. His go-to drink? A classic gin and tonic—simple, timeless, and expertly balanced, just like his approach to cocktails.

Born in the Valley of the Sun, Alex began his hospitality journey at Churn, a locally owned ice cream shop. There, he learned about flavor, improvisation, and whimsy. Through dedication and a passion for brightening people’s days, Alex rose through the ranks at the neighboring Windsor restaurant, becoming a bartender. He later joined Rough Rider as a bartender and worked his way up to Director of Beverage. In this role, Alex honed his skills as a servant leader, committing to lead with empathy and reshape the industry for future generations.

Alex has since transitioned to Century Grand, where he leads the kitchen and commissary teams. He continues to lead with compassion, accountability, and a drive to make each day better for everyone he encounters.

Rich Furnari is the Founding Partner of Barter & Shake Cocktail Entertainment.

Rich merges an artistic background with over 25 years of hospitality experience. Driven to create memorable and entertaining moments for each guest, Rich sets the stage for our immersive concepts by weaving storytelling and a little magic into every detail.