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Name: Mark Bernstein
Hometown: Highland Park, Illinois
University: Northwestern University ’12
 
 
Development Analyst, Resource Environmental Solutions
New Orleans, LA
What initially attracted you to Venture for America?
I knew I wanted to work for a startup after graduation. I discovered very quickly that it is really challenging to find a good fit on your own. I was drawn to the fact that VFA facilitates this process. Also, I was super excited about the prospect of moving to Detroit.
What is the best part of being a VFA fellow?
Besides the other fellows, my favorite part of VFA is that we’re put in a position to significantly impact our companies. I think that is pretty rare coming directly out of college.
What does Resource Environmental Solutions do?
RES is an ecological offset provider. We restore habitats and sell the resulting restoration credits to companies that need them in order to comply with certain environmental regulations. Here’s a cool write up of the company in Inc. Magazine.
What do you do on a typical day at work?
My primary role is to help RES expand into new areas. It is interesting because different states have very different methods for mitigation. So far, I have spent a lot of time on Google Earth evaluating potential project sites.
What’s your favorite thing about New Orleans?:
The music. There are tons of live shows every night, and the radio stations are excellent.
What do you hope to accomplish in your time with VFA?
I have a strong interest in ecological offsets, and I am really looking forward to learning the ins and outs of the industry. I also hope to become a competent trumpet player.