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.

0-5 years

Joe Reidy serves as Vice President of Public Affairs at 3PS, LLC, a government affairs and public relations firm based in Charleston, West Virginia. A Berkeley County native and graduate of West Virginia University, Joe has spent his career at the intersection of politics, policy, and advocacy.

Before joining 3PS in 2021, Joe advised successful campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. He has worked with national consulting firms, trade associations, and political organizations to drive legislative strategies and build grassroots and grasstops engagement across the region.

At 3PS, Joe leads public affairs efforts for clients in some of the most heavily regulated sectors, offering strategic counsel, coalition development, and policy support tailored to each client's unique needs. With a deep understanding of West Virginia's political and regulatory landscape, Joe brings energy, insight, and unwavering focus to every engagement.

Joe lives in Charleston with his wife, Katie, their daughter, Georgia, and their golden retriever, Charley.

0-5 years

Leadership Iowa Graduate

Nick is an experienced government relations, public affairs, and public relations professional with a successful history of executing lobbying and issue campaigns. He began his journey in the political arena at a young age and has had the opportunity to work a number of political campaigns at the local, state, congressional, and even presidential level.

Nick's career has included leading extensive public affairs issue campaigns, communications and public relations efforts, and marketing campaigns across the Midwest and country influencing state and federal policymakers and garnering media attention. He also spent a couple of sessions being fully immersed in the legislative process while working for a committee chairman in the Iowa House.

These diverse experiences have all culminated in Nick's successful ability to execute strategic plans to introduce, pass, block, or amend legislation at the Iowa Statehouse for clients and build strong relationships with lawmakers and stakeholders. From legislative agenda development and interim planning to PAC management and issue campaigns, Nick specializes in elevating a client's message and executing legislative strategies. Nick also leads Advocacy Strategies' administrative rulemaking engagement and media relations efforts on behalf of our clients.

Nick grew up in Byron, MN and made his way to Iowa through Simpson College's John C. Culver Public Policy Center where he was selected as a Fellow. He graduated Simpson with the highest academic honor with majors in Political Science and International Relations and a minor in Religious Studies and also received his Master's Degree in Public Policy and a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration from the University of Northern Iowa.

Outside of work, Nick is actively involved in his church community, local political activism, the Simpson College Alumni Association Board, and serves as the President of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center Alumni Association. He graduated from Leadership Iowa, the state's premier professional leadership development program, in June of 2022.

0-5 years

Voted as a Top and Rising Star Lobbyist by the James Magazine

Recognized as a Top Fierce and Fabulous 40 Under 40 Alumni by Spelman College

Executive Director, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (2003-2016)
Chair, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Corporate Roundtable Sports, Entertainment and Gaming Committee
Board Member, Wellroot (formerly known as United Methodist Children's Home)

Danica Thompson is experienced in civic engagement with a focus in government relations. She currently serves as a vice president of state government relations where she provides strategic advice and lobbying services to help clients meet their corporate and public affairs objectives. She has extensive experience working with clients in the areas of education, healthcare, diagnostic laboratories, procurement and transportation on both the state and local levels.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Danica worked with state elected officials for 13 years at the Atlanta-based Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Inc. Starting as a legislative intern, she seamlessly rose through the organization's ranks to the position of executive director where she managed the daily operations of the caucus, coordinated legislative conferences, spearheaded the legislative intern program and ensured that the caucus fulfilled its mission to protect the general welfare of people of color, the disadvantaged and the underserved citizens throughout the state of Georgia.

Throughout her professional career Danica has committed herself to making a difference at work and within her community. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Georgia Women's Policy Institute. Presently, Danica serves as chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Corporate Roundtable Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Policy Committee, serves as a board member for the United Methodist Children's Home (WellRoot), and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to support children in foster care. She is a Council for Quality Growth Emerging Leader and serves as an ambassador with the Grady Ambassador Force, which consists of nearly 100 community leaders creating awareness and community support for the Grady Health System and chairs the Marsy's Law for Georgia Advisory Committee to ensure victims of crime receive their constitutional rights in court proceedings.

Danica has been recognized by her peers as a Top and Rising Star lobbyist in the James magazine, acknowledged by the Daily Report for providing pro bono services related to changing age requirements in Georgia's child marriage law, and named as Spelman College's Fierce 40 Under 40 Alumni. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Spelman College and a Juris Doctorate from Birmingham School of Law.

Danica is a native from Birmingham, Alabama. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, dogs and traveling.

20+ years

Jason Webb's often heard motto is "You must educate before you can advocate." He believes that policy makers are invariably dependent on concise and accurate information. While the introduction of those conversations is the foundation for advocacy, it's the ongoing discussion and exchange of ideas that tend to build success in the long run.

"If you can reduce complicated matters down to their core principles, then individuals will usually have a better chance of understanding them. Greater comprehension brings with it the likelihood that people will consider different perspectives on an issue. By increasing diverse viewpoints, we can collectively solve complex problems," he says.

For over two decades, Webb has worked in government relations, serving a diverse range of clients that include Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and non-profit corporations. His proficiency includes economic development, environment, finance, healthcare, insurance, natural resources, professional licensure, taxes and technology.

The son of a coal miner, Webb understands the adage that there is no substitute for hard work. He worked his way through college, completed internships at Merrill Lynch and a trading firm on the Chicago Board Options Exchange and worked with the Senior PGA Tour.

Webb received his Bachelor in Business Administration in finance and political science from the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky.