Mel Sembler

Mel Sembler, Chairman Emeritus of The Sembler Company, served as United States Ambassador to Italy from 2001 to 2005 and as U.S. Ambassador to Australia and Nauru from 1989 to 1993.

As a developer, Sembler is responsible for building The Sembler Company into one of the United States’ most highly recognized shopping center development and management companies, known for creative design and environmental integrity. Sembler is also renowned for his activism in the anti-drug movement.

A strong supporter of the Republican Party for decades, Sembler served as Finance Chairman for the Republican National Committee from 1997 to 2000. He also served as Florida's National Committeeman to the Republican National Committee after his election in 1994 until 2000. Sembler accompanied President George W. Bush to Israel as part of his honorary delegation marking Israel’s 60th anniversary of statehood.

Presently on the boards of the International Council of Shopping Centers, American Enterprise Institute, George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, Republican Jewish Coalition, and Moffitt Cancer Center, Sembler is also a sustaining member of the Florida Council of 100, a business advisory council to the Governor of Florida.