Mark A Erman

My professional point of origin was working as a geologist investigating environmentally impacted sites in the midwest at Bureau Veritas, a global firm specializing in environmental protection and regulatory compliance.  This led to the practice of law at Troutman Pepper, a national firm.  In 2015, I transitioned into the hospitality industry with the establishment of Ermanos, a restaurant on Historic Fourth Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. 

Ermanos aspired to create a welcoming home away from home to nourish guests regardless of the occasion, addressing the growing need for quality communal places.  Portal Cocktails later opened in 2020. It was designed to be an intimate and exciting refuge and opened the gates to dive into the art of providing vibrant, evocative, and original experiences in hospitality. 

The establishments ended their run in 2025, receiving numerous accolades along the way including Portal being featured in national and international design publications and nominated a finalist for best concept, surface interior, and lighting in North America at the London-based Restaurant and Bar Awards.

In addition to the work of this firm, I am also currently developing a project called ALIGN, which was awarded in a competitive public process. The environment, envisioned in partnership with Pima County, will serve as a public-private oasis in the heart of central Tucson and create a new wellness-focused center for the Huckelberry Loop, ranked America’s #1 bike path.

I enjoy movement, art, road trips, rocks, climbing, sharing special lookouts with friends, writing, advocacy, communal building, long-range projects, and ancient gathering places.