About Amber

about amber

A Record of Results

Proven Leadership & Active Representation

Elected in 2018 and resoundingly re-elected in 2022, Commissioner Amber Mills is more than just a vote on the Commission—she is a high-energy, proactive advocate for North and East Shelby County. Representing a diverse constituency from Shelby Forest and Millington to Arlington and Rosemark, Amber has redefined the role of a commissioner through constant engagement and a results-oriented approach to governance.

Amber believes that representation requires fighting for the pocketbooks, safety, and future of every family in District 1. Her record is defined by bold action rather than business-as-usual politics.

Taxpayer’s Firewall
At a time of rising costs, Amber has stood as a firm firewall against the expansion of government. She has voted against every proposed tax increase, including the wheel tax. Most notably, she spearheaded the successful charge to stop a property tax increase, ensuring the county lives within its means just like the families she represents.

Education Accountability
To protect against the misuse of public funds, Amber spearheaded the effort to have a forensic audit conducted on the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS). By demanding this high level of oversight, she is working to stop fraud, waste, and abuse, ensuring that education tax dollars reach the classroom for student success rather than being lost to administrative inefficiency.

Champion for Our Veterans
Since taking office, Amber transformed a system that had only one officer in 2018 into a powerhouse of support. Today, Shelby County boasts ten full-time Veterans Service Officers with local offices in Bartlett, Collierville, and Millington. Her leadership was recognized statewide when she received the 2024 Commissioner’s Eagle Award from the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services.

Active Infrastructure Management
District 1 contains over half of all county-maintained roads. As Vice Chairwoman of Public Works, Amber is actively engaged in securing the funding and oversight necessary to keep our rural and suburban corridors safe and modern.

Closing the Digital Divide
Recognizing that high-speed internet is a necessity, Amber successfully leveraged ARPA funds to expand broadband access throughout rural Shelby County. By strategically utilizing federal resources, she secured modern connectivity for underserved areas without placing an additional burden on local taxpayers.

Delivering for Northaven
For years, the Northaven community sought essential streetlighting to improve neighborhood safety. Amber broke the stalemate, successfully helping Northaven acquire and install streetlights throughout their neighborhoods—proving that no community concern is too small for her full attention.

A Global Perspective, A Local Focus

Amber’s high-energy approach was forged during her nearly two decades as a Flight Attendant for Delta Air Lines, where she mastered the art of service and diplomacy under pressure. Her professional background also includes serving as the National Accounts Manager for an anti-terrorism firm, where she managed the Highway Watch program, turning the nation’s trucking fleet into a shield for homeland security after 9/11.

Rooted in Education & Faith

As a music scholarship recipient, Amber earned her A.A. in Music Education from Wallace State before completing her B.S. in Business Management at Auburn University. She balances creative discipline with a pragmatic business sense in every Commission debate.

Family & Community

Amber is a devoted wife to Lee and a proud mother to two sons—Grayson (UT Knoxville) and Tanner (a sophomore at Briarcrest). The Mills family is deeply embedded in the Arlington community and worships at Bellevue Baptist Church. Whether she is advocating for a taxpayer, honoring a veteran, or fighting for school accountability, Amber Mills is the tireless, engaged voice for her constituents.