Ben Beakes is the founder and managing member of 3PS, LLC, a government affairs and public relations firm headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia. When he launched the firm in 2015, Ben's mission was clear: to put clients in the best position possible to achieve success, and to be a light to clients and to those with whom the firm interacts on their behalf. That guiding principle still defines 3PS today. Since its founding, the firm has represented more than 50 clients across a wide range of industries. From association management and lobbying to marketing and strategic communications, 3PS is committed to delivering results with purpose through thoughtful strategy, meaningful relationships, and a values-driven approach to advocacy.
2) Alliance for Automotive Innovation
3) Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc.
4) Americans for Citizen Voting
5) Association of Health Plans, West Virginia
7) Central WV Regional Airport Authority
11) FirstEnergy
11-15 years
2012 Generation Next: Top 40 under 40
2016 University of Charleston Alumnus of the Year
Ben Beakes is the founder and managing member of 3PS, LLC, a government affairs and public relations firm headquartered in West Virginia. A 2002 graduate of the University of Charleston with a degree in political science, Ben began his career as Political Director for the West Virginia Republican Party. In 2005, he was appointed Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Betty Ireland, becoming one of the youngest individuals to serve in that capacity in state government.
Following his time in public service, Ben briefly worked in the private sector before being named State Director of the McCain 2008 presidential campaign in West Virginia. In 2009, he returned to his alma mater to serve as Vice President for University Development, a role he held for five years. Ben then joined Alpha Natural Resources as Director of Government and External Affairs, managing state and federal policy efforts.
On September 1, 2015, Ben launched 3PS, combining his deep policy experience, strategic insight, and extensive relationships into a firm designed to serve clients with integrity and purpose. With over two decades of experience in public policy, politics, and advocacy, Ben has built a reputation as a tireless and trusted voice for the individuals, companies, and associations he represents.
Whitney Wetzel is the Director of Communications and Advocacy at 3PS, where she leads integrated strategies at the intersection of public affairs, media, and messaging. With a background in both journalism and state government, Whitney brings a deep understanding of how to shape narratives that influence decision-makers, engage the public, and drive results. At 3PS, she helps clients navigate complex policy challenges, tell their stories effectively, and achieve their goals. True to the firm's mission, she works to put clients in the best position possible to succeed and to be a light in every interaction on their behalf.
0-5 years
Named Best Anchor by both the West Virginia Broadcasters Association and the Associated Press of the Virginias
Recipient of a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Breaking News Coverage
Emmy Nomination for Feature Reporting
Licensed West Virginia real estate agent, holding multiple industry designations, including:
Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)
Seller Representative Specialist (SRS)
Military Relocation Professional (MRP)
GREEN Designee
Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI)
Awarded Rookie of the Year by Old Colony Realtors for 2024
Whitney Wetzel serves as Director of Communications and Advocacy at 3PS, LLC, a full-service government affairs, marketing, and public relations firm based in Charleston, West Virginia. Whitney joined the team in 2025, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in media and public sector communications.
A graduate of West Virginia University with a B.S. in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science, Whitney began her career as a television news anchor and reporter, covering stories across West Virginia and Kentucky. Her time in journalism earned her multiple industry honors and a reputation for thoughtful, compelling storytelling.
Following her broadcast career, Whitney transitioned into state government, where served as Director of Communications for the West Virginia Department of Human Services. In that role, she led communications for the state's largest agency during a major organizational restructure, managing media strategy, branding, and crisis communications at the cabinet level.
At 3PS, Whitney bridges the firm's communications and government affairs efforts - offering strategic counsel to clients in sectors including healthcare, human services, and education. Her expertise spans campaign development, stakeholder engagement, and media relations, and she brings a passion for storytelling and advocacy to every project. Whitney is proud to help clients create meaningful change in West Virginia communities and beyond.
614-309-0313
88 East Broad St. Suite 1650, Columbus, OH, 43215,
6) Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio
7) Alliance for Safety and Justice Action Fund
8) Alvis, Inc.
9) American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.
12) Apple Inc.
13) Battelle Memorial Institute
15) Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corp
17) Carvana
18) Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
19) CGI Technologies and Solutions Inc
20) Charter Communications Operating, LLC
22) City of Columbus
23) Cleveland Browns
24) Coalition for Community Solar Access
25) College Board
26) Columbus Crew SC
27) Columbus State Community College
30) Consumer Safety Technology
31) CSL Behring
32) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
33) DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.
34) Delaware County Board of Commissioners
35) Direct Journeyline Holdings, LLC
36) Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association
37) Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
38) Ergon, Inc.
39) Evolution Malta Holdings Limited
41) Future Ready 5
42) Gaggle Inc.
43) Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
47) Invenergy LLC
49) Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
50) MCG
51) Metro Early College High School
53) National Heritage Academies
54) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
56) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
57) Ohio Assisted Living Association
58) Ohio Association of Community Colleges
59) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
60) Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Inc
61) Ohio Quarter Horse Association
62) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
63) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
65) OhioHealth
69) Public Employee Retirees, Inc
70) QTS Data Centers
71) Resource International, Inc
72) Rev1 Ventures
76) Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio
77) Stride, Inc
79) The Buckeye Ranch Foundation
80) The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation
83) The Nature Conservancy in Ohio
85) Twomagnets LLC d/b/a Clipboard Health
87) Walgreen Co
88) WalkMe Inc
89) Wonderschool
614-893-0041
88 E Broad St, Ste 1650, Columbus, OH, 43215,
5) Alliance for Safety and Justice Action Fund
6) Alvis, Inc.
7) Battelle Memorial Institute
8) Carvana
9) Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
10) Charter Communications Operating, LLC
11) City of Columbus
12) College Board
13) Consumer Safety Technology
14) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
15) Ergon, Inc.
16) Future Ready 5
17) Gaggle Inc.
18) Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
20) National Heritage Academies
21) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
22) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
23) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
24) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
25) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
26) Resource International, Inc
27) Stride, Inc
30) Wonderschool
614-824-4508
88 East Broad St. Suite 1650, Columbus, OH, 43215,
6) Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio
7) Alliance for Safety and Justice Action Fund
8) Alvis, Inc.
9) American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.
12) Apple Inc.
13) Battelle Memorial Institute
16) Carvana
17) Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
18) CGI Technologies and Solutions Inc
19) Charter Communications Operating, LLC
21) City of Columbus
22) Cleveland Browns
23) Coalition for Community Solar Access
24) College Board
25) Columbus Crew SC
26) Columbus State Community College
29) Consumer Safety Technology
30) CSL Behring
32) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
33) DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.
34) Delaware County Board of Commissioners
35) Direct Journeyline Holdings, LLC
36) Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association
37) Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
38) Ergon, Inc.
39) Evolution Malta Holdings Limited
41) Future Ready 5
42) Gaggle Inc.
43) Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
44) Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley
45) Invenergy LLC
47) Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
48) MCG
49) Metro Early College High School
51) National Heritage Academies
52) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
54) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
55) Ohio Assisted Living Association
56) Ohio Association of Community Colleges
57) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
58) Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Inc
59) Ohio Quarter Horse Association
60) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
61) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
63) OhioHealth
66) Public Employee Retirees, Inc
67) QTS Data Centers
68) Resource International, Inc
69) Rev1 Ventures
74) Stride, Inc
76) The Buckeye Ranch Foundation
78) The Nature Conservancy in Ohio
80) Twomagnets LLC d/b/a Clipboard Health
82) Walgreen Co
83) WalkMe Inc
84) Wonderschool
614-824-4508
88 East Broad St. Suite 1650, Columbus, OH, 43215,
5) Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio
6) Alvis, Inc.
7) American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.
9) Battelle Memorial Institute
10) Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corp
12) Carvana
13) Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
14) Charter Communications Operating, LLC
16) City of Columbus
17) Cleveland Browns
18) College Board
19) Columbus Crew SC
20) Columbus State Community College
23) Consumer Safety Technology
25) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
26) DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.
27) Delaware County Board of Commissioners
28) Direct Journeyline Holdings, LLC
29) Ergon, Inc.
32) Future Ready 5
33) Gaggle Inc.
34) Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
35) Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley
38) Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
39) MCG
40) Metro Early College High School
41) National Heritage Academies
42) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
43) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
44) Ohio Assisted Living Association
45) Ohio Association of Community Colleges
46) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
47) Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Inc
48) Ohio Quarter Horse Association
49) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
50) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
51) OhioHealth
53) Resource International, Inc
54) Rev1 Ventures
56) Stride, Inc
57) The Buckeye Ranch Foundation
58) The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation
62) Wonderschool