Chris O’Brien joined the Spectrum News Triad team in June 2021 after graduating from the University of Florida.
Going by the nickname “O’B” off the air, he comes from Rockledge, Florida, a small city near Cape Canaveral (where the rockets take off) on the east coast of the state.
During college, Chris interned at WBIR in Knoxville, Tennessee, WCJB TV20 in Gainesville, Florida, and the CBS News Investigative Unit in New York City. Although Florida will always have a place in Chris’ heart, the beautiful North Carolina seasonal weather and diverse landscape drew him away.
His most memorable story was covering a national champion golfer who is a double-leg amputee after a bus accident. When the accident happened, the man was helped by someone who disappeared once the paramedics arrived.
Chris was able to track the unknown hero down and reunite him with the golfer’s family. The emotional story taught him the big impact reporters can have on their community, and it will probably be one of his most memorable for a long time. Chris can’t wait to share more impactful stories like this in the state of North Carolina.
Sandy beaches and big waves are what he grew up on, but Chris is a huge fan of the mountains. When he’s not working, you can find him on a hike, tubing/white water rafting or road tripping to a national park – he’d like to see all 63 in his lifetime (he’s currently at 11). Aside from that, Chris is a huge Florida Gators and Boston sports fan, and you can find him wherever there’s a game on.