Mayor and Council

A lifelong Chatham County resident, Mayor Pro Tem Gabrielle Nelson was born in Savannah and raised by her grandparents who ensured she had a well-rounded upbringing. She credits them for providing her with outstanding moral skills and the ability to handle all situations with sensibility and tact. Her grandparents raised her to be a sensible woman who always listens with her ears in addition to her heart. Understandably so, she is an advocate of children’s interest in addition to improving the lives of all she encounters and is always seeking options for youth to progress within the community.

When she wasn’t in school or church, she was pulling weeds in her grandparents beautiful southside corner lot home. She was truly a preacher’s kid and had a deeper appreciation for life than her peers. She was educated in the SCCPSS as well as the former Armstrong Atlantic State University. Dreams of early home ownership sparked her passion for helping others on their financial literacy journeys. Her mission is to bring compassionate and sensible decision making to Port Wentworth that will allow our city to thrive economically and enhance overall community safety and enjoyment.

Prior to being elected, Mayor Pro Tem Nelson served on the Port Wentworth Planning and Zoning Commission, providing her with a profound understanding of our ever-changing economy and the way cities and counties should efficiently plan for and create growth. As a Councilwoman she interacts with citizens, fellow elected officials, and other dignitaries County, State and nationwide to create or enhance policy, ensure that local ordinances and state laws are adhered to and works tirelessly to improve communications between all adjoining parties. She has worked relentlessly since being elected to bring better quality of life to all her citizens including opening a technology center, breaking ground on a state-of-the-art sports complex that includes the Savannah Ghost Pirates training facility and initiating a partnership with Chatham County government and Habitat for Humanity of the Coastal Empire to create new housing options for the City of Port Wentworth. Nelson also initiated the city becoming a certified city of ethics and city of civility through the Georgia Municipal Association. This heart at City Hall also hosts multiple family-oriented events throughout the year that she has branded as Heart Festivals. She influences cohesiveness and compassion throughout the city’s leadership. Among her accomplishments, she is a Georgia Forward & Georgia Municipal Association 2023 “Young Gamechanger” graduate, a Georgia Municipal Association Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute 2023 graduate, and has earned both GMA’s Certificate of Recognition & Certificate of Achievement. She is also a member of the 2024 class of the prestigious Leadership Savannah. She is not only a member but serves as the vice chair of the National League of Cities Small Cities Council. She also volunteers with several organizations throughout the community, serves on various boards and strives to inject heart into everything she is a part of!

In addition to her work as a local elected official Mayor Pro Tem Nelson is also a devoted Chatham County Government employee with 15 years of service. Because of her proven leadership skills and abilities, she has been able to matriculate upward through The County Government structure working in positions with increasingly significant responsibilities. She is currently the Computer Support Manager for the County’s IT department. In that role she manages the IT Helpdesk and procurement division and provides substantial administrative and financial input throughout the year concerning the departmental budget. She understands financial risks and possesses the ability to plan and project appropriately and works to ensure The County’s investments are effectively protected year after year. Nelson truly embodies the multiplier effect and is passionate about helping others meet their goals. Her professional background that includes legal, technical, administrative, and budgetary functions as well as an in depth understanding of government practices, have provided her the ability to not only create, but carry out detailed initiatives in a wide array of areas and has directly impacted her progress within the city.

This mother of three is a proven communicator with a service grounded heart and mind who understands it all starts at home! Her children Marissa, Sire and Maverick are what drive her daily! She is an active and dedicated mother who believes in showing them the way, even bringing them along to meetings and allowing them to ask questions of the body. Mayor Pro Tem Nelson even makes time to coach her children’s little league sports teams right here in the city and looks forward to each game!