Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Tiffany Porter died today after battling breast cancer, her office announced in a news release.
Porter, 43, was the 2020 election, becoming the first African American Tax Commissioner in Gwinnett County. Prior to that, she was the first African American judge in the Duluth Municipal Court. For four years she was a regular guest legal analyst on Court TV and had previously founded two private-practice law firms.
Chief Deputy Tax Commissioner Denise R. Mitchell will take office through the end of Porter's term in 2024, the release said.
"Ms. Porter overcame many obstacles to achieve the ambitious goals she set for herself," Mitchell said. "I will always remember her as a strong, resilient, brilliant spirit, and all the joy she brought to us. We will miss her."
Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson issued a statement Thursday afternoon.
"On behalf of all of us at Gwinnett County Government, I send sincere condolences to the Tiffany’s family, friends and coworkers. We are all saddened by this loss," Hendrickson said.
Porter was the first in her family to get a college degree, to get a law degree and to pass the bar.
During her 16 months as tax commissioner, Porter implemented a number of service advancements for Gwinnett citizens, including the ability to set appointments at any office and skip the wait. She also made workplace improvements for her 160-member staff.
Porter was the mother of four children.
Funeral services have not been announced.
