Mark A Erman

My professional experience spans the fields of geology, law, hospitality, and development. I began as a geologist investigating environmentally impacted sites in the Midwest at a global firm specializing in environmental protection and regulatory compliance.  This led to the practice of law at an AmLaw 100 firm. In 2015, I transitioned into the hospitality industry with the establishment of Ermanos, a restaurant which operated for ten years 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 was added in 2020 to function as an intimate and exciting refuge. This fulfilling project opened the gates to dive into providing vibrant, evocative, and original experiences in the art of 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, interior, and lighting in North America at the international 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.