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 ran the beverage department for Fox Restaurant Concepts from 2011 to 2021. His work with Sam Fox continued to Fox’s new project in Nashville’s upper Broadway area, The Twelve Thirty Club, as well as The Global Ambassador hotel. Snapp lives in downtown Phoenix with his dachshund, Wallace Monroe Byrd. 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 Director of Finance at Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality, where his journey began on the prep team at Century Grand. His persistence, curiosity, and drive quickly propelled him into leadership, first as Commissary Manager, where he led the Prep Team and oversaw ordering, shipping, and receiving across all Barter & Shake properties.

From there, Jack was promoted to Director of Beverage, expanding his leadership across the company while developing a deeper understanding of each concept, its operations, and the business as a whole. After mastering the role, Jack’s intimate knowledge of Barter & Shake, combined with his analytical mindset and operational expertise, led to his promotion to Director of Finance.

Today, he oversees the company’s financial operations, budgets, and performance, helping leadership make thoughtful, sustainable business decisions. 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.

Born in the Valley of the Sun, Alex Montoya began his hospitality journey at Churn, a locally owned ice cream shop, where he developed an early appreciation for flavor, improvisation, and whimsy. Through dedication and a passion for creating memorable experiences, Alex rose through the ranks at the neighboring Windsor restaurant, becoming a bartender before later joining Rough Rider, where he continued to grow his career and leadership experience.

Alex eventually joined Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality as Commissary Manager at Century Grand, leading the kitchen and commissary teams with compassion, accountability, and a commitment to supporting those around him. Now, as Director of Beverage, Alex brings his creativity, operational knowledge, and servant-leadership philosophy to Barter & Shake’s beverage program, helping guide cocktail development and beverage operations across the company while continuing his commitment to leading with empathy and helping shape a stronger hospitality industry for the next generation.

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.