Meet Our Team
Currently based in Austin, Nate Laird is the Regional educator for the Central & East regions at Mast-Jägermeister US. As Regional Educator, he is a key player in Jägermeister’s innovative outreach programs designed to educate bartenders and distributor staffs on Jägermeister’s production, history, and versatility as a cocktail ingredient.
Originally from Reno, he fell in love with bartending at an early age after he discovered the fast pace rush of the night clubs, the friendships built in the neighborhood spot, and the creativity with which he could compose cocktails, as well as guest experiences in the craft bars & restaurants. Knowing he wanted more, he began attending and eventually helping with cocktail weeks and brand events around the country, slowly building his network until ultimately, he became a go-to man for event work. In 2016 he found himself batching hundreds of gallons of cocktails a day for some of the largest music festivals in the world on behalf of Jägermeister. This achievement undoubtedly set him on the path that led to the position he holds at Jägermeister today.
When Nate isn’t living his best #jagerlife traveling around working on cocktails and educating he can be found around Austin cycling, catching a live music act, or cooking at home with his lady and their cat.
Willy Shine began his career in Boston, MA in the 90’s and has been pioneering the craft of Bartending for over 25 years and is keen to all styles. He cut his teeth in Nantucket Island & Aspen Colorado and soon made his way to NYC, where he quickly made a name for himself in the bartending community. Willy has worn many hats in the industry as an accomplished bartender, hospitality consultant, and educator. He has consulted on bar development, beverage programs, festivals and has worked in some of the most prestigious establishments in the U.S. He has a passion for educating and paying forward the wisdom and knowledge that has been bestowed upon him throughout his career. Since 2015 Willy has served as the Brand Meister for Mast-Jägermeister US. He is an industry expert and educator who has had the opportunity to travel the globe to see, touch, smell and taste some of the most well-made cocktails and spirits in the world.
Mathias Simonis was born April 12th, 1977 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mathias began his career in 1991 bussing tables and has worked his way to Regional Educator for West and Control states for Mast Jägermeister-US. Mathias helped put Milwaukee on the map in the national cocktail scene, co-founding one of the earliest USBG chapters in Milwaukee. Mathias also blew up on the national scene with a string of national cocktail competition wins from 2010-2012, with his culminating win of 1st place at the Nightclub and Bar Show, "Shake It Up" in 2011.
Mathias left Milwaukee for San Francisco in 2012 to help open a world-renowned Bar, and join the Bon Vivants representing small craft brands in Northern California. Mathias helped launch and build spirits brands using unconventional marketing, and traveled the world executing and working large scale events while also bartending in San Francisco. He was also a part of the Tales of the Cocktail 2014 Spirited Award “Best Bar Team”.
Mathias took over the Las Vegas market for Bon Vivants in 2015, continuing to help small craft brands get a start in a competitive Las Vegas market. Mathias was also a bartender at Nectaly Mendoza's world-renowned Las Vegas restaurant Bar and was a part of Tales of the Cocktail 2016 Spirited Award “Best High Volume Cocktail Bar”.
Mathias’s love and passion for Jägermeister as a bartender brought him to Nashville in 2017 as the Trend and Scene manager for MJUS, focusing on Culture and Lifestyle and Trade Advocacy. In 2019, Mathias relocated to Las Vegas to continue the role back the fast-growing changes in Vegas culture.
Mathias has a passion for music, and can often be found at live shows and collecting vinyl in his spare time. Once an avid goalkeeper for one of the oldest soccer clubs in North America, The Croatian Eagles (Est.1922 in Milwaukee, WI), he also has a passion for soccer on and off the field, traveling internationally for matches and helping coach youth.
