Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Handelsman.
Hi Adam , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Adam Handelsman: From New York Hustle to Austin Harmony
For decades, Adam Handelsman thrived at the intersection of culture, media, and communication. Born and raised in New York City, he built his career in the fast-moving world of public relations, where quick thinking and bold storytelling were the keys to success. From music and nightlife to publishing and branding, Adam became known for his sharp instincts and his ability to help people and companies find their voice in a crowded world.
In 2012, he founded SpecOps Communications, a public relations and media firm dedicated to strategy, storytelling, and results. SpecOps quickly earned a reputation for handling complex narratives with clarity and creativity. The firm works closely with veteran-owned businesses and organizations committed to making a difference. Adam’s passion for veteran issues runs deep, and his work often reflects a balance between purpose and innovation.
Technology has become another central thread in Adam’s story. His interest in artificial intelligence and digital platforms has led to collaborations with cutting-edge ventures such as Binj.com. To him, technology and communication are inseparable parts of how people connect, build trust, and create change.
In 2018, Adam and his wife Audrey, a fitness professional, traded Manhattan skyscrapers for Austin’s oak-lined trails. The move was not just a change of scenery but a deliberate reset. Austin gave him a slower rhythm and a renewed sense of balance. Each morning, he walks the Greenbelt trails, using the quiet as a time to think, plan, and center himself. It is a daily ritual that keeps him grounded in the middle of an industry that never truly sleeps.
SpecOps Communications continues to grow under Adam’s leadership, working with clients across industries while maintaining a focus on authenticity and impact. He believes good PR is not about spin but about truth told with conviction. Check out his blog, OffTheBeatenPath at www.SpecOpscomm.com.
And yes, the heat and Texas barbecue doesn’t hurt either.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We moved to Austin in 2018 and it has been a wonderful experience. We love the heat, nature, food and we have made incredible friends along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have had the honor and pleasure of working with Fortune 100 CEOs to start-up entrepreneurs for the past 25 years. I listen and implement PR programs with speed and effectiveness. I enjoy the creativity of my industry and I believe that even though a great email works… nothing beats getting on the phone and doing what this industry was built on… Communications. As for the highlights of my career; I represented Ray Bradbury, was killed off in a Charles Pellegrino novel called Dust, I was one of the first to represent Starbucks and created the Green Team. I launched the Netpulse Internet Powered Workout and drove media Phillips-Van Heusen’s Save Ellis Island campaign. I’ve worked with Black Rifle Coffee, Condition One Nutrition and the film Land of Bad. I created SpecOps because I like to move fast, get things done and not act like the typical PR firm.
What makes you happy?
My wife of 33 years, my two incredible daughters who are 26 and 21 and my cat Bubbles who we rescued. Walking through the woods every morning is a far different vibe than NYC and I take great comfort in the way it centers me and prepares my mind for the day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.specopscomm.com
- Instagram: @adamhandelsman @specopscomm
- LinkedIn: @adamhandelsman
- Twitter: @adamhandelsman
Image Credits
Adam Handelsman
