Hartselle Utilities welcomes new general manager
Hartselle Utilities recently announced Ty Chancelor as its new general manager. Chancelor, a Decatur native, steps into the role following the passing of Bob Sittason, who made a lasting impact on both the utility and the Hartselle community.
Chancelor brings extensive experience to his new position, with a background in water, wastewater and natural gas operations. Most recently, he served as as and Water Operations Superintendent at Decatur Utilities, where he was responsible for managing a team that handled construction, engineering and system maintenance, all while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. Prior to that, he worked at Hartselle Utilities as Water and Wastewater Operations Supervisor, where he developed innovative solutions to improve system efficiency.
A graduate of Austin High School and the University of Alabama-Huntsville, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chancelor said he is deeply committed to the Hartselle community. He and his wife, Bethany, are proud to raise their two children in the Hartselle School System.
Chancelor has identified aging infrastructure as one of the most pressing challenges facing Hartselle Utilities, a problem that utility companies are facing nationwide.
“Many of our systems and facilities are in need of updates to ensure they can continue to provide reliable service to the community,” he said. To address these challenges, Chancelor plans to assess the existing infrastructure and prioritize necessary updates. “I plan to conduct a thorough assessment of our existing infrastructure to identify critical areas that require immediate attention and long-term investment,” he said. “By prioritizing the replacement and upgrade of outdated infrastructure, we can enhance efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.”
Looking ahead, Chancelor is focused on improving communication with customers and ensuring that Hartselle Utilities remains affordable and reliable. “Providing resources for customers to manage their consumption effectively is also a priority.”
Chancelor also emphasized the importance of operational efficiency and sustainability for the future of Hartselle Utilities.
“We will conduct ongoing evaluations of our utility infrastructure and identify areas requiring upgrades,” he explained. “Being proactive will help us address potential issues that impact service reliability. We will also focus on operational efficiency to control costs. By optimizing resource use, we can keep utility rates as affordable as possible.”
He also expressed excitement about the role of emerging technologies in shaping the future of utility services. “This will play a huge role in our future as we start implementing smart metering for gas, water, and electricity utilities,” Chancelor said. “It will help us identify infrastructure bottlenecks, improve response times, and enhance transparency in customer service interactions. I am very excited about how this technology can drive us forward and ultimately provide a better experience for consumers.”
HR manager Carol Kirby said Chancelor’s transition has been seamless.
On behalf of our entire staff, we are truly excited to have him here to lead HU,” she said. “He has made the transition smooth and is already proving to be a tremendous leader for us. We’re looking forward to all that’s ahead under his guidance.”
