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) D2L, Ltd.
34) DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.
35) Delaware County Board of Commissioners
36) Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association
37) Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
38) Evolution Malta Holdings Limited
40) Future Ready 5
41) Gaggle Inc.
42) Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
43) Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley
46) Invenergy LLC
48) Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
49) MCG
50) Metro Early College High School
52) National Heritage Academies
53) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
55) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
56) Ohio Assisted Living Association
57) Ohio Association of Community Colleges
58) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
59) Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Inc
60) Ohio Quarter Horse Association
61) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
62) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
64) OhioHealth
68) Public Employee Retirees, Inc
69) QTS Data Centers
70) Resource International, Inc
71) Rev1 Ventures
72) RSM US, LLP
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) Future Ready 5
16) Gaggle Inc.
17) Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
19) National Heritage Academies
20) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
21) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
22) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
23) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
24) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
25) Resource International, Inc
26) Stride, Inc
29) 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) D2L, Ltd.
34) DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.
35) Delaware County Board of Commissioners
36) Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association
37) Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
38) Evolution Malta Holdings Limited
40) Future Ready 5
41) Gaggle Inc.
43) Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley
44) Invenergy LLC
46) Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
47) MCG
48) Metro Early College High School
50) National Heritage Academies
51) Nationwide Children's Hospital, Inc
53) Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
54) Ohio Assisted Living Association
55) Ohio Association of Community Colleges
56) Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association
57) Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Inc
58) Ohio Quarter Horse Association
59) Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
60) Ohio Utilities Protection Service
62) OhioHealth
65) Public Employee Retirees, Inc
66) QTS Data Centers
67) Resource International, Inc
68) Rev1 Ventures
70) RSM US, LLP
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) D2L, Ltd.
27) DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.
28) Delaware County Board of Commissioners
29) Evolution Malta Holdings Limited
31) Future Ready 5
32) Gaggle Inc.
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
52) Resource International, Inc
53) Rev1 Ventures
54) RSM US, LLP
56) Stride, Inc
57) The Buckeye Ranch Foundation
58) The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation
62) Wonderschool