Who Is Craig Tester? The Engineer Solving Oak Island’s Greatest Mystery

The Unsung Hero of Oak Island

Among history buffs, the name Oak Island instantly sparks excitement and speculation.
Is there truly a vast hoard of treasure buried beneath Nova Scotia’s soil?
For more than a decade, one man has quietly applied science, logic, and engineering to that question — Craig Tester.

While the Lagina brothers often take center stage on The Curse of Oak Island, Craig has been the show’s steady, methodical force behind the scenes — the engineer who turns wild theories into actionable plans.

A Quick Bio: From California to the Klondike of Legends

Craig Tester was born on February 16, 1961, in Glendale, California.
In the 1970s, he studied mechanical engineering at Michigan Technological University — where fate paired him with Marty Lagina as a college roommate.

That friendship became the foundation of a lifelong partnership. In the 1980s, they co-founded Terra Energy, a successful gas and oil company in Michigan. Later, they turned their expertise toward renewable energy with Heritage Sustainable Energy, developing cutting-edge wind farm projects.

Today, Craig and Marty co-own Oak Island Tours Inc., the company that manages the privately owned island and operates tours for curious visitors — a business run by the very people searching for its secrets.

Craig’s Role on The Curse of Oak Island

Since the show’s debut in 2014, Craig has appeared in nearly 200 episodes and serves as both a producer and on-screen expert.
His calm, analytical style contrasts sharply with the excitement of digs and discoveries, but his engineering precision is vital to the team’s success.

Craig specializes in drilling, resistivity testing, and ground analysis, helping determine where to dig next. Once a potential site is identified, he coordinates the logistics of excavation — calculating pressure, depth, and safety requirements to ensure the operation runs smoothly.

It’s a family affair, too: Craig’s stepson Jack Begley is one of the show’s most recognizable faces, often seen doing the heavy labor at excavation sites. Jack is the son of Craig’s wife, Rebecca, and was born in 1975.

Tragedy Strikes: Remembering Drake Tester

Craig’s commitment to Oak Island has always been personal, but never more so than in 2017, when tragedy struck.
His biological son, Drake Tester, who had appeared in earlier episodes, passed away at just 16 years old after complications from a lifelong seizure disorder.

The loss devastated Craig and his family. He briefly stepped away from the show to mourn with his wife in Traverse City, Michigan.
In honor of his son, the Oak Island team named a borehole in the Money Pit area “DMT” — Drake’s initials — ensuring his memory would always be part of the island’s story.

Memorable Moments on Oak Island

Though not always front and center, Craig’s contributions have shaped some of the show’s most intriguing moments.

In Season 5’s “The Lot Thickens”, the team discovered a piece of material that turned out to be leather fused with parchment — possibly part of old bookbinding.
Craig immediately linked the discovery to a long-standing theory: that Shakespeare’s original manuscripts — or early copies of his plays — were hidden on Oak Island to protect them from political or religious persecution.

It’s one of the show’s most tantalizing possibilities, and Craig’s measured approach helped keep the investigation grounded in evidence, not myth.

The Engineer Who Keeps the Dream Alive

While others chase clues in the mud and legends in the archives, Craig remains the rational core of The Curse of Oak Island.
His blend of mechanical knowledge, geological expertise, and quiet perseverance ensures that every expedition, no matter how wild, stays rooted in science.

For Craig Tester, the Oak Island mystery isn’t just about treasure — it’s about problem-solving, innovation, and honoring the past through discovery.
And though his demeanor may be understated, his impact on the hunt is undeniable.