Development executive's mantra: don’t be afraid to ‘get messy’

After two decades and millions of square feet of leases and deals, Ron Wheeler recalls dark days when citing his proudest moment at the helm of one of the region’s most prominent developers.

“My biggest accomplishment is not any of the deals I have done,” Wheeler says of his tenure with St. Petersburg-based Sembler Co. Founded in 1962, the firm handles development, redevelopment, acquisitions, leasing and property management and often works on retail plazas with grocery giant Publix. “It’s being able to guide this company through ’08, ’09 and ’10, when we were in the worst recession.”