Private equity firm Littlejohn & Co. has made a strategic investment in GDS Associates, a Marietta, Georgia-based provider of power infrastructure consulting services to the U.S. electric utility industry. The firm, founded in 1986, specializes in power supply planning, transmission studies, load forecasting, and regulatory strategy. David Brian will continue as president following the investment.

Littlejohn's move comes as the U.S. power grid faces rapid transformation driven by electrification demands, grid modernization efforts, renewable energy integration, and surging data center growth. The investment aims to support GDS's expansion as utilities navigate increasingly complex planning and decision-making processes. Michael Kaplan, managing director at Littlejohn, emphasized GDS's strong reputation in supporting utilities through these challenges.

Several firms advised on the transaction, with AEC Advisors serving as Littlejohn's financial advisors, Greenberg Traurig LLP providing legal counsel, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP handling debt financing. Morrissey Goodale LLC initiated the deal and served as exclusive financial advisor to GDS, while Lawson & Weitzen LLP and Frazier & Deeter LLC provided legal and accounting support respectively. Financial terms were not disclosed.