Meet NBC Today Show Host Craig Melvin
In an intimate in-store conversation, CEO John Green turns the tables to interview the celebrated news
anchor.
From Craig Melvin’s early days as a teenage reporter to his role today as a trusted national voice, his career has been shaped by curiosity, connection and community. Whether he is behind the news desk, on the golf course or spending time in the heart of Westport, he remains a storyteller at his core. His philosophy is simple: Surround yourself with good people, welcome different perspectives and cherish the many good things that come your way.
FROM PONTIAC LEMANS TO PRIMETIME: THE STORY OF A MORNING NEWSMAN
By sheer luck and a ’73 Pontiac LeMans, his broadcasting journey began. At just 15 years old, he spotted a TV ad seeking teen reporters. The audition was held at the Richland Fashion Mall in Columbia, South Carolina, and somehow he got the gig.
Walking into the newsroom for the first time felt like stepping onto the set of his favorite TV show. There was the weatherman, the evening anchor and a buzz in the air that was electric. “I fell in love with the energy instantly,” he recalls. “I was hooked.”
A HIGH SCHOOL STORY, A CAREER FOR LIFE
The moment journalism became more than just a teenage adventure came in AP Government class. Inspired by a dynamic teacher who brought history to life, he wrote a feature story about him. Mandy Covington, the news director at the station, secretly submitted the piece to the Associated Press for a Best Education Reporting award.
“I thought I was the only entry,” he laughs. “But then I found myself, at 17, sitting at a banquet in Cashiers, North Carolina, winning the award. That’s when I realized—you can actually make a living telling stories, asking questions and bearing witness.”
WHY MORNINGS STILL MATTER
Decades later, the early mornings haven’t lost their purpose. “It’s the only job I’ve ever had,” he says. “If I got fired tomorrow, I’d have no backup plan—unless Lux Bond & Green needs an apprentice watch salesman.”
Behind the humor lies a deep respect for the role. “I’m humbled to know people trust me to deliver unbiased news to millions. I take that responsibility seriously. What we say has impact.” He credits strong family roots and a passion for the craft for keeping him grounded.
FINDING HOME IN WESTPORT
In 2011, both Craig and his wife, sports anchor Lindsay Czarniak, were offered career opportunities in New York and Connecticut. Known for her work with CNN, Fox Sports and ESPN, Lindsay was already an established presence in sports media. At the time, the couple was engaged and working in Washington, D.C. They toured 18 homes across several Fairfield County towns before arriving in Westport, the final stop on their list. “We liked it immediately, found an apartment, and within a few months we’d moved, started new jobs, and gotten married,” he recalls. “We thought we’d stay two years. Fourteen years later, we’re all in. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family.”
TURNING LOSS INTO ACTION
Giving back has always been part of his DNA. But when his older brother, Lawrence, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, that mission became personal.
“When we knew Lawrence wasn’t going to win his fight, Lindsay and I decided we needed to do something for others battling this terrible disease,” he explains. Inspired by charity events like Darius Rucker’s Monday After the Masters, they launched the Bottoms Up Invitational—a two-day party, concert, and golf tournament.
The event has raised over $3.3 million for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, funding research and spreading awareness. “I’m a terrible golfer,” he admits with a grin, “but every missed putt is worth it.”
To contribute to Craig and Lindsay’s event supporting the Colorectal Cancer Alliance please visit colorectalcancer.org
A LUX BOND & GREEN CONNECTION
When the couple first moved to downtown Westport, Craig often passed Lux Bond & Green without stepping inside — unsure if it was “his kind of store.” One day, searching for a gift for Lindsay, he finally went in. “I had such a great experience, I’ve been shopping with Simon and the team ever since,” he says.
Years later, Lindsay surprised him with a beautifully engraved watch for his 40th birthday. “That started my watch obsession,” he laughs. “Even my mom has a wish list at the store.” For him, every purchase holds a memory — from milestone birthdays to a playful family debate about getting his ear pierced. “Lux Bond & Green is part of our family story now.”
Craig Melvin’s journey has always come back to connection, to family, to community and to the stories that shape us. From a teenage reporter with a borrowed car to a trusted voice on national television, his path has been marked by purpose and humility. Westport may have begun as a temporary stop, but it became the place where his family, career and causes took root. For Craig, that story is still being written.
