TAX COMMISSIONER & STAFF PROFILES
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Gail Downing took office on February 8, 2002 after the death of the late Tax Commissioner, Jim McDuffie and was elected in November 2004 to a four year term beginning January 1, 2005. She ran unopposed for re-election in 2008. Carla Jackson was recently appointed to serve as Gail's Chief Clerk.

Gail is a member of the Georgia Association of Tax Officials and served as 2007-2008 chair of the Legislative Committee. She also served as 2006-2008 chair of TC Tech (Tax Commissioner's Technology Development Council). She attended Western Carolina University and is a graduate and alumni of the Leadership Cobb and EXCEL management programs. She is a graduate of levels I and II of the Executive Leadership Institute for Georgia Tax Officials.

Gail has been active in the Republican Party since 1980, having served as President of the Cobb County Republican Women's Club in 1996 after serving several years on the board. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Marietta Kiwanis Club and the YWCA of Northwest Georgia. Gail previously served on the Steering Committee for Cobb Executive Women for several years and as Chair in 2004. She is active in North Point Community Church and in the community. Gail and her husband, David, have been residents of Cobb County since 1979. They have been married for 31 years and have two sons ages 30 and 28.



Carla Jackson joined the Cobb County Tax Commissioner's Office in 2003. As Business Services Manager, she was responsible for the day-to-day functions of property tax billing and collections, electronic payments and document imaging applications and this website. She also assisted the tax commissioner in establishing policy and strategies to ensure efficient workflow and responsive customer service delivery.

Carla earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Accounting and Business Management from North Carolina State University in 1984. She obtained her CPA license from the State of Georgia in 1996 and her certificate in information technology management from Georgia Tech in 1998. She is involved in the Tax Commissioner's Technology Council and in the Georgia Association of Tax Officials organizations. Carla's community involvement includes the 2012 Honorary Commanders Class, 2009-2010 co-chair of Cobb Youth Leadership, member of Cobb Executive Women and a 2008 graduate of Leadership Cobb. She is a current member and past executive board member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and has volunteered with various civic organizations including The Fortitude Foundation, A Light of Hope Outreach, the Atlanta Business League and the United Way.


The Tax Commissioner's office administrative philosophy emphasizes excellence in customer service and increasing service delivery capability through technology enhancements.