Tanya Milton
5th District CommissionerA Savannah, Georgia native and graduate of Windsor Forest High School, Tanya Milton’s interest in newspaper advertising began while in high school selling ads for the school’s newspaper. She attended Marsh-Draughon Business College in Atlanta, and in 1975, Tanya was hired by The Savannah Tribune to typeset and layout the weekly newspaper.
After only one year, she was promoted to Editor & General Manager and took charge of the production of the newspaper until 1978 when she moved to nourish a passion and enhance her “newspaper” skills - first with the Detroit Free Press and later with the Kansas City Star and Times. Milton returned to Savannah In 1981, and began a full-time career as an Account Executive at The Savannah Morning News, working both classified and retail advertising sales. After 20 years with The Savannah Morning News, Milton opened her own marketing company, T-Time Marketing, and was contracted by The Savannah Tribune as Marketing Director in June 2002. The very next year, she was hired as Marketing and Advertising Director at The Tribune, and currently serves as Vice President and Advertising Director of The Savannah Tribune.
2025 was a banner year for Milton who celebrated a 50-year career in the newspaper business. A community advocate and servant-leader, Milton is in her 2nd term as 5th District Chatham County Commissioner. She continues her growth by attending ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy (LLA). She has received her County Commission Certification as well as a Specialty Certification.
A graduate of Leadership Southeast Georgia, Milton is actively involved with several community service organizations such as the United Way of the Coastal Empire and Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. She was a “Big Wig” for Susan Komen Breast Cancer Campaign, Homebuilders Association of Greater Savannah named Milton to the Hall of Fame in 2025.
Milton has been actively involved in community leadership and planning initiatives. She served on the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) from 2010 to 2019, including serving as Chairman from 2017 to 2019. During that tenure she worked with fellow commissioners, local officials, and community stakeholders on planning, zoning, and development issues that shaped the growth and future of the community. She serves on the Board of Savannah Jazz Association. Memberships include Top Ladies of Distinction; the National Council of Negro Women; Lifetime Membership in the NAACP, and a longtime member of Tremont Temple Missionary Baptist Church. Milton was recently honored by Savannah Juneteenth Fine Arts Festival Dream Fulfilled Scholarship Gala held at the Hyatt. This distinguished evening honors individuals whose personal service and leadership continue to make a meaningful impact across our community.
She is married to Walter Thomas, and they have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren