Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner’s Office Mourns the Passing of Tiffany P. Porter, Esq.

Tax commissioner offices will close to allow associates to pay their respects. Chief Deputy Tax Commissioner Denise R. Mitchell, MPA, will assume duties of the office.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., May 5, 2022 – Gwinnett Tax Commissioner Tiffany P. Porter, Esquire, passed away peacefully today surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.

Ms. Porter, 43, is the devoted mother of four children, Tori, 15, Zoe, 17, Nia, 20, and Brandon, 23. She was known for achieving many firsts in her life. She was also known for surviving multiple hard-fought battles against breast cancer, to which in the end she ultimately succumbed.

During her 16 months as Tax Commissioner, Ms. 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, who appreciated her intelligent, fun-loving and decisive leadership.

In addition to being the first in her family to obtain a college degree, a law degree and pass the bar, in winning the 2020 election she became the first African American Tax Commissioner in Gwinnett County’s history. 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.

“Ms. Porter overcame many obstacles to achieve the ambitious goals she set for herself,” Chief Deputy Denise 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.”

For more than 20 years, Ms. Porter resided in Gwinnett County, attended Life Church International in Duluth and was a dedicated member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

As the law dictates, Mitchell will execute the duties of the office until being sworn in to complete the remainder of Ms. Porter’s term through Dec. 31, 2024. Offices will be closed on the day of Ms. Porter’s service to pay respects, which will be announced when arrangements are made. Other than service details, no other information will be shared.

Key Life Achievements of Tiffany P Porter, Esq.

  • Her proudest: the “blessed mother of four children”
  • A two-time breast cancer survivor • The first in her family to attend college
  • BA with honors in Music from Hampton University
  • 2000 Initiate of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
  • MBA from Georgia State University
  • Atlanta Chiefs Semi-Pro Football Cheerleader
  • Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law
  • Admitted by the State Bar of Georgia to practice law
  • Founded the Law Offices of Tiffany N. Brown
  • Co-Founded the law firm Porter and Whitner LLC
  • The first Black judge at the Duluth Municipal Court
  • Court TV guest Legal Analyst for four years
  • 20-year member of Duluth’s Life Church International
  • Founded Zenith Sports & Entertainment Group LLC
  • Certified NFL Agent (Only 28 women among 700+ agents)
  • Elected the first African American Tax Commissioner in Gwinnett County’s history, and:
    • Achieved a 98.9% collection rate on $1.4 billion in taxes
    • Safely continued tax and tag services during the pandemic
    • Launched self-set appointments so citizens could skip the line completely
    • Standardized tag office hours to streamline operations
    • Set the vision of “Distinction in government and exemplary service”
    • Implemented multiple cost-saving and workload-reducing initiatives
    • Raised to a living wage the starting salary for entry level employees
    • Promoted more than 35 associates
    • Expanded the social media outreach to keep residents informed and updated
    • Launched ‘Tax & Tag Tips,’ a monthly publication to educate residents
    • Launched ‘The Insider,’ a monthly magazine to share insights and spotlight associates
    • Improved workplace culture by administering the first ever associate survey, allowing dress down Fridays and expanding the recognition program
  • Board Member, the Tax Commissioners’ Technology Development Council of Georgia
  • Board Member, Mae’s Homeless Initiative, whole life transformation program
  • Board Member, The Cottage Adult Day Care Service
  • Board Member, Satisfeed, feeding Gwinnett residents in need
  • Chartered the Alpha Alpha Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
  • Awarded “Black History Among Us” Recognition by New Jerusalem Baptist Church
  • Awarded City of Duluth recognition for Municipal Court judge appointment
  • Carried on GG Sallie’s recipe and tradition, baking dozens of delicious sweet potato pies
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