“Each year, NETA selects a dedicated volunteer who has served on multiple NETA committees and is a champion in the industry for the advancement of electrical safety, quality service, and relationship-building,” NETA President Dan Hook told members and guests at the PowerTest26 Member and Alliance Recognition Luncheon in Nashville, Tennessee. “This year, we have selected Chasen Tedder of Hampton Tedder Technical Services, a third-generation leader in the electrical testing and engineering industry.”
Hook explains, “Known for his exceptional technical expertise, high standards, and commitment to safety, Chasen oversees complex high-voltage, substation, solar, and battery storage projects while mentoring engineers and technicians across the company.”
Chasen, who currently serves as 1st Vice President on NETA’s Board of Directors and on multiple NETA committees, says receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award is “truly an honor.” He points out, “NETA is an exceptional organization that plays a vital role in supporting our industry and helping keep the world operating reliably. What makes it even more special is that it is largely powered by volunteers who are deeply committed to its mission. To be recognized by NETA as the Outstanding Individual of the Year serves as meaningful validation of the hard work and dedication that so many of us contribute toward this shared mission.”
INTELLECTUAL ABILITY AND TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE
Chasen Tedder has been an integral part of his family’s business since 2005. Now, with more than 15 years of experience in high-voltage testing, engineering, and commissioning, Chasen oversees technical operations, engineering, facilities, and sales as Vice President of Hampton Tedder Technical Services. His specialties include cable testing, protective device coordination and testing, and online partial discharge testing.
“Raised in a competitive, engineering-minded NETA family, Chasen grew into a respected industry voice through his work on NETA’s Board of Directors and committees,” adds Hook. Colleagues and family describe him as hardworking, brilliant, and deeply principled—a leader who does things the right way and lifts others with him.
“I’ve been fortunate to experience many meaningful highlights throughout my career,” Chasen acknowledges. “The opportunity to advance quickly while achieving several professional milestones along the way has been especially gratifying.” Still, Chasen also asserts that “the moments that bring me the greatest pride are not the titles or credentials listed after my name, but the opportunities to make a real impact. Some of the most rewarding experiences have been helping businesses and communities recover from critical outages—situations where facilities might otherwise remain offline for weeks or months, and our Hampton Tedder team is able to restore operations within hours.”
COMMITMENT TO QUALITY, SAFETY, AND DOING THINGS RIGHT
Chasen’s commitment to quality, safety, and doing things the right way has become a benchmark for those around him. Jim Andersen of Hampton Tedder notes that Tedder’s involvement in complex projects has elevated standards across the board. “Chasen’s been more involved in the big battery storage and solar projects, and he’s done a great job. We’ve done well, with a very consistent product. It’s always important to me to have a good, consistent quality product, and Chasen thinks it’s as important as I do.”
Insistence on doing things correctly translates directly to trust, says Daniel Rochin of Hampton Tedder. “You can truly trust that when Chasen is involved, the work will be done correctly and safely.” From a personal perspective, Tedder’s wife, Samantha Tedder, explains, “Chasen wants to be the best. He prides himself on delivering the highest quality. If you hire him, you know you’re getting the best.”
LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE NETA COMMUNITY
Chasen’s involvement with NETA began early through the family business and grew from there. Chasen notes that his professional involvement with the NETA organization began by simply attending meetings and contributing ideas. “Over time, I became more actively engaged by serving on the Member Application Review Committee and contributing as a subject matter expert for the Exam Committee,” he says.
Chasen continues, “I was honored to join the Board of Directors in 2019. A few years later, I was invited to serve on the Standards Review Council. More recently, I joined the Executive Committee as a Board Officer and currently serve as 1st Vice President. I also recently founded and chair the Qualified Electrical Maintenance Company (QEMC) Committee.
“The NETA community is truly remarkable,” Chasen adds. “It is rare to see hundreds—if not thousands—of competitors regularly come together in a cooperative and professional environment to improve the industry and ultimately help make the world a better place.”
Chasen points to the benefits of being part of the NETA Community for himself as well as his company. “On a personal level, regularly participating in NETA meetings has accelerated my growth in multiple areas, including technical knowledge, leadership, management, business development, and overall professional development,” he says. “For Hampton Tedder, the shared knowledge and collaboration within the NETA community have helped us navigate evolving industry challenges such as mergers and acquisitions, emerging technologies, vendor qualifications, and many other complex issues.”
Chasen notes, “One of the most valuable aspects of the NETA community is the opportunity to engage with peers who are facing similar challenges but approaching them in different ways. Learning from the successes and setbacks of others in a constructive environment helps everyone grow and strengthens the industry as a whole.”
Personally, Chasen adds, “That knowledge sharing has grown my perspective and developed me into a much better leader than I ever could have been without it. One of the best lessons I’ve learned is that you have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Leadership and problem-solving start with listening and understanding, and rubbing elbows with the best in the industry is a great place to listen and understand.”
LEADERSHIP, MENTORING, AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING
As Chasen’s career developed, natural intelligence evolved into technical mastery. “Chasen’s strength is his technical skill,” explains Andersen. “He remembers anything he’s read, and he knows where to go get it. He is technically that strong.”
Equally significant is Chasen’s active role as a leader and mentor. “Chasen does monthly trainings with many of the guys, and they value this time with him where he shares his passion and gives them a look at the electrical testing side of the business,” says Frank Aguilar of Hampton Tedder. “Personally, I’m a visual learner, and Chasen will take the time to draw out whatever the issue is so you understand the next steps and what the resolution could be for the customer.”
Rochin believes Chasen’s leadership is grounded in humility and support. “Chasen’s one of those guys who doesn’t just hold a title. His technical knowledge speaks for itself, but what truly sets Chasen apart is how he’s willing to share it,” he says. “He pushes people to do better and also supports them every step of the way. He cares about their growth and learning and doing things the right way.”
Chasen’s reputation preceded him within the broader industry. “I met Chasen at PowerTest in 2019. I was just getting started in the electrical testing world, and I immediately noticed that Chasen and his team had the reputation and resume that made Hampton Tedder different,” Aguilar recalls.
FAMILY, LEGACY, AND PERSONAL CHARACTER
At the core of Chasen’s story is family and legacy. His mother, Christine Tedder, reflects on the generational roots of his profession: “Chasen’s grandfather learned his trade in the military and went on to create a high-voltage cable splicing company.”
From an early age, Chasen’s intellectual ability and curiosity set him apart. Brother Maxwell Tedder remembers, “Chasen was always willing to help others understand complex ideas. He would always help you—you just had to translate it from genius to something the rest of us could understand.”
Chasen’s passion is personal and deeply felt. “Chasen truly enjoys going to work every day. That comes from who he is—he loves tinkering, figuring things out, and problem-solving,” says Samantha Tedder. “He’s passionate about being part of a family business and excited about continuing the legacy of having a Tedder in NETA and being at the forefront of the industry.”
Chasen’s father, Matt Tedder, Sr, recalls, “The whole family grew up racing dirt bikes and fixing high-voltage systems. Chasen was always the most interested in how things worked—especially electrical systems.” He adds, “He’s stepped it up in every way. He’s a superstar, and he truly deserves this award.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Thinking about what’s next, Chasen says, “First on my list is family. Spending more time with my amazing wife and kids at their young ages is important to me.
“After that, if the membership will have me, hopefully, the NETA Presidency. I look forward to mentoring the next generation of technicians and leaders coming into our industry and helping shape this great community as I go.”