Community mourns Mel Sembler
November 2, 2023 - Mel Sembler, founder of St. Petersburg-based global development firm Sembler, died Oct. 31 at 93 years old. He also served as U.S. Ambassador to Australia and Italy, chaired the Republican Party’s national finance committee and founded the Drug Free America Foundation with his wife, Betty. Sembler’s eponymous firm built over 350 developments totaling 29 million square feet. Temple Beth-El hosted Sembler’s funeral service Thursday, followed by his burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Largo.