About Marty Lagina and Craig Tester’s multi-million business ventures

Marty Lagina and Craig Tester: The Engineers Behind The Curse of Oak Island

Marty Lagina and Craig Tester became prominent figures in the reality television universe through their involvement in the History Channel’s hit series The Curse of Oak Island. Known to millions of viewers as determined treasure hunters, the two men are far more than television personalities. Behind the scenes, they are accomplished engineers, entrepreneurs, and business partners whose success made their legendary quest possible.

The Rise of The Curse of Oak Island

The History Channel struck gold in 2014 when it launched The Curse of Oak Island, a reality series chronicling the efforts of brothers Marty and Rick Lagina, along with partners including Craig Tester, as they searched for a fabled treasure believed to be hidden on Oak Island since at least the 16th century. Over the years, theories have ranged from pirate treasure to the Holy Grail and even the Ark of the Covenant.

Despite years without a definitive treasure discovery, the show captured millions of viewers worldwide. Numerous artifacts unearthed on the island—each hinting at a complex and mysterious past—kept both the team and the audience invested, even in the face of skepticism from critics.

The Legend of the Money Pit

Oak Island’s legend dates back to 1795, when a young man named Daniel McGinnis reported seeing strange lights on the island. Investigating with friends, he discovered a circular depression in the ground near a marked tree. As they dug, they found stone layers and wooden platforms placed at regular intervals, suggesting deliberate construction.

Over the next two centuries, numerous expeditions attempted to uncover what lay beneath what became known as the “Money Pit.” Among the most controversial discoveries was a granite slab uncovered in 1802, allegedly inscribed with coded markings. One 19th-century translation claimed it read, “Forty feet below, two million pounds are buried,” though later interpretations disputed both the translation and even the existence of the markings themselves.

Key Discoveries and Theories

Throughout the show’s run, the Lagina team has uncovered several notable artifacts. In 2017, metal-detecting expert Gary Drayton discovered a 500-year-old, 12-faceted garnet, initially mistaken for a ruby. This find reignited theories linking Oak Island to the lost jewels of Marie Antoinette, allegedly hidden before her capture during the French Revolution.

Another major discovery was a medieval cross resembling those associated with the Knights Templar. Scientific testing conducted in Canada and later at the German Mining Museum suggested the metal originated from southern France during the medieval era. Although no historical records definitively prove that the Knights Templar reached North America, the find strengthened theories that their treasure—or knowledge—may have made its way to Oak Island.

Rare coins found across the island added further intrigue, including 17th-century British coins, a suspected Templar coin, and an exotic coin with a square hole, possibly originating outside Europe. These discoveries supported competing theories involving pirates, early European settlers, and secret religious orders.

Marty Lagina: From Engineer to Treasure Hunter

Born on August 26, 1955, in Kingsford, Michigan, Marty Lagina was raised in a stable and supportive household. He graduated from Kingsford High School in 1973, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1977, and later obtained a Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Michigan in 1982.

Marty began his career as a petroleum engineer with Amoco before becoming an independent consultant. Holding both a professional engineering license and Michigan State Bar membership, he combined technical expertise with legal knowledge—skills that would later prove invaluable in business ventures.

Craig Tester: A Private Partner

Craig Tester, also a mechanical engineering graduate from Michigan Technological University, has remained a relatively private figure despite his on-screen presence. Born in 1961, Craig spent much of his life in Michigan with his wife, Rebecca. The couple experienced tragedy in 2017 with the loss of their son, Drake Maxwell Tester, who passed away at age 16 due to a seizure disorder.

Known for his discipline and physical fitness, Craig once competed in amateur wrestling, an experience that contributed to the resilience required for demanding fieldwork on Oak Island.

Business Success Before Television Fame

Marty Lagina and Craig Tester were college roommates and longtime friends before becoming business partners. In 1984, they co-founded Terra Energy Ltd., a natural gas exploration company that played a key role in developing Michigan’s Antrim Shale gas industry. By the 1990s, Terra Energy had become Michigan’s largest gas well operator, managing billions of dollars in oil and gas resources.

The company was sold to CMS Energy in 1995 for nearly $60 million. Following that success, the pair founded Heritage Sustainable Energy in 2004, focusing on wind and solar projects. The company now supplies renewable energy capable of powering tens of thousands of homes annually across the United States.

Ownership of Oak Island and the Show’s Legacy

Marty and Craig, along with other investors, own approximately 78 percent of Oak Island. This ownership enabled them to establish Oak Island Tours Incorporated, offering guided tours led by knowledgeable experts such as Charles Barkhouse and historian Lisa Moore.

While Marty and Rick Lagina are the faces of The Curse of Oak Island, Craig Tester also serves as one of the show’s producers. The series remains one of their most successful ventures, blending historical investigation with modern science and storytelling.

A Childhood Dream Fulfilled

The Lagina brothers’ fascination with Oak Island began in childhood after reading about the mystery in Reader’s Digest. What started as a dinner-table discussion eventually became a lifelong pursuit. With successful careers behind them, Marty, Rick, and their partners—including Craig Tester—decided to chase that dream.

As of 2023, Marty Lagina’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $100 million, while Craig Tester’s is estimated at around $5 million. Marty has also invested in winemaking through Mari Vineyards, named in honor of his Italian grandmother.

More Than Just a Treasure Hunt

The Curse of Oak Island is not merely about gold or artifacts. It is the story of perseverance, curiosity, and lifelong friendship. Through engineering expertise, financial success, and an unwavering belief in history’s unanswered questions, Marty Lagina and Craig Tester transformed a centuries-old mystery into one of television’s most enduring reality series.