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.
1) a16z Capital Management LLC
3) Alliance for Automotive Innovation
4) Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc.
5) Americans for Citizen Voting
6) Association of Health Plans West Virginia
8) Central WV Regional Airport Authority
9) Child Advocacy Network West Virginia
10) Contractors Association/WV
12) 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
9) Alvis, Inc.
10) American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.
13) Apple Inc.
14) Battelle Memorial Institute
16) Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corp
18) Carvana
19) Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
20) CGI Technologies and Solutions Inc
21) Charter Communications Operating, LLC
23) City of Columbus
24) Cleveland Browns
25) Coalition for Community Solar Access
26) Coalition For Ticket Fairness
27) College Board
28) Columbus Crew SC
29) Columbus Metropolitan Library
30) Columbus State Community College
33) Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority
35) Consumer Safety Technology
36) CSL Behring
37) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
38) DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.
39) Delaware County Board of Commissioners
40) Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association
41) Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
42) Ergon, Inc.
43) Evolution Malta Holdings Limited
45) Future Ready 5
46) Gen4, LLC
47) Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
48) Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley
52) Invenergy LLC
54) Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
55) MCG
56) Metro Early College High School
58) National Heritage Academies
59) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
60) NeuroPsychiatric Hospitals
62) Odyssey
63) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
64) Ohio Assisted Living Association
65) Ohio Association of Community Colleges
66) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
67) Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Inc
68) Ohio Quarter Horse Association
69) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
70) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
72) OhioHealth
77) Public Employee Retirees, Inc
78) QTS Data Centers
79) RBM Consulting
80) Replica HQ
81) Resource International, Inc
82) Responsive Gov Action, Inc. (RGA)
83) Rev1 Ventures
86) SimpliGov LLC
87) Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio
88) Stride, Inc
90) The Buckeye Ranch Foundation
91) The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation
94) The Nature Conservancy in Ohio
96) TwoFold Ventures
97) Twomagnets LLC d/b/a Clipboard Health
100) Walgreen Co
101) Wonderschool
614-893-0041
88 E Broad St, Ste 1650, Columbus, OH, 43215,
5) Alliance for Safety and Justice Action Fund
7) Alvis, Inc.
8) Battelle Memorial Institute
9) Carvana
10) Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
11) Charter Communications Operating, LLC
12) City of Columbus
13) College Board
14) Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority
15) Consumer Safety Technology
16) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
17) Ergon, Inc.
18) Future Ready 5
19) Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
21) National Heritage Academies
22) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
23) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
24) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
25) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
26) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
27) Public Employee Retirees, Inc
28) Replica HQ
29) Resource International, Inc
30) Stride, Inc
33) 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) Coalition For Ticket Fairness
25) College Board
26) Columbus Crew SC
27) Columbus Metropolitan Library
28) Columbus State Community College
31) Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority
33) Consumer Safety Technology
34) CSL Behring
36) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
37) DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.
38) Delaware County Board of Commissioners
39) Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association
40) Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
41) Ergon, Inc.
42) Evolution Malta Holdings Limited
44) Future Ready 5
45) Gen4, LLC
46) Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
49) Invenergy LLC
50) Lorain County Community College
52) Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
53) MCG
54) Metro Early College High School
56) National Heritage Academies
57) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
58) NeuroPsychiatric Hospitals
60) Odyssey
61) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
62) Ohio Assisted Living Association
63) Ohio Association of Community Colleges
64) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
65) Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Inc
66) Ohio Quarter Horse Association
67) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
68) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
70) OhioHealth
74) Public Employee Retirees, Inc
75) QTS Data Centers
76) RBM Consulting
77) Replica HQ
78) Resource International, Inc
79) Responsive Gov Action, Inc. (RGA)
80) Rev1 Ventures
84) SimpliGov LLC
85) Stride, Inc
87) The Buckeye Ranch Foundation
89) The Nature Conservancy in Ohio
91) TwoFold Ventures
92) Twomagnets LLC d/b/a Clipboard Health
95) Walgreen Co
96) 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) Ergon, Inc.
29) Evolution Malta Holdings Limited
31) Future Ready 5
32) Gen4, LLC
33) Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
34) Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley
37) Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
38) MCG
39) Metro Early College High School
40) National Heritage Academies
41) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
42) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
43) Ohio Assisted Living Association
44) Ohio Association of Community Colleges
45) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
46) Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Inc
47) Ohio Quarter Horse Association
48) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
49) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
50) OhioHealth
53) RBM Consulting
54) Replica HQ
55) Resource International, Inc
56) Rev1 Ventures
57) SimpliGov LLC
58) Stride, Inc
59) The Buckeye Ranch Foundation
60) The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation
64) Wonderschool