Reliability in Action: Littleton’s Hendrix ACS Success Story
Utilities are facing growing pressure to improve reliability, reduce outage frequency, and restore service faster when disruptions occur. For Littleton Electric Light & Water Departments, Hendrix Aerial Cable Systems by Marmon Utility have played an important role in strengthening system performance and supporting a more resilient overhead distribution network.
In this episode, Ted Gardner, Application Engineer for Overhead Solutions at Marmon Utility, joins David Ketchen, Assistant General Manager of Littleton Electric Light & Water Departments, for a practical conversation about how covered conductor and aerial cable systems can help utilities address real-world reliability challenges.
Together, Ted and David discuss Littleton’s experience adopting Hendrix ACS, including the system conditions that led to the decision, the reliability improvements observed over time, and the operational value of reducing outages in tree-heavy or challenging service areas. The conversation also explores how faster restoration, reduced exposure to faults, and long-term system hardening contribute to better service for utility customers.
As Hendrix celebrates 75 years of serving the utility industry, this discussion highlights the proven role of engineering partnership, application support, and field-tested solutions in helping utilities modernize their overhead systems. Rather than focusing only on product performance, the episode brings forward the broader story: how the right infrastructure decisions can support reliability goals, customer satisfaction, and long-term grid resilience.
Listeners will hear directly from both the utility and technical solution perspectives, making this a valuable discussion for public power leaders, engineers, operations teams, and utility professionals evaluating practical approaches to improving overhead system performance.
Episode Guests
Ted Gardner brings more than 30 years of electric utility industry experience, with a background in distribution engineering, utility equipment solutions, and overhead system design. He began his career with American Electric Power and has spent more than 15 years with Marmon Utility / Hendrix Aerial Cable Systems. As Application Engineer and Project Manager for Overhead Solutions, Ted works with utilities to develop reliable, field-informed solutions that support system performance and long-term service reliability.
David Ketchen joined Littleton Electric Light and Water Departments in 2015 as an Electrical Engineer and was promoted to Assistant General Manager in 2018. In his current role, he supports planning, operations, and long-term reliability across Littleton’s electric, water, and wastewater systems. David holds a bachelor’s degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology and an MBA from UMass Lowell. He also serves on APPA’s DEED Board and NEPPA’s Mutual Aid Committee.
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About the Author
Nikki ChandlerNikki Chandler
Group Editorial Director, Energy
Nikki is Market Content Director for the Endeavor Business Media Energy group, which includes T&D World, EnergyTech and Microgrid Knowledge media brands. She has 30 years of experience as an award-winning business-to-business editor, with 24 years of it covering the electric utility industry. She started out as an editorial intern with T&D World while finishing her degree, then joined Mobile Radio Technology and RF Design magazines. She returned to T&D World as an online editor in 2002, and took over as managing editor in 2017, then market content director in 2023. She has contributed to several publications over the past 30 years, including Waste Age, Wireless Review, Power Electronics Technology, and Arkansas Times. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.S. in journalism from the University of Kansas.