Carl Quintanilla Biography: From Wall Street Journal to CNBC’s Squawk on the Street

Carl Quintanilla is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and one of the principal anchors for CNBC.

He is best known for his role as a co-anchor of CNBC’s Squawk on the Street (Monday–Friday, 9 AM–11 AM ET) and previously Squawk Alley (Monday–Friday, 11 AM–12 PM ET), both broadcast live from the New York Stock Exchange.

Currently, he co-anchors Money Movers (Monday–Friday, 11 AM–12 PM ET). With a career spanning over three decades, Quintanilla is recognized for his incisive financial reporting and engaging on-air presence.

Here’s a brief overview of his background and career:

• Current Role: Co-anchor of “Squawk on the Street” and anchor of “Squawk Alley” on CNBC.
• Joined CNBC: In 1999.

• Previous Roles at CNBC:

Before his current roles, Quintanilla was a co-anchor of CNBC’s signature morning program, “Squawk Box,” and also served as a correspondent for various CNBC programs, including “Business Center,” and as a special correspondent for Fox X-press on Fox News. He also co-anchored CNBC’s early-morning program, “Wake Up Call.” 

• NBC News Correspondent:

Prior to his prominent roles on CNBC, Quintanilla was a New York- and Chicago-based correspondent for NBC News, regularly appearing on “Today” and “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.”

• Awards and Recognition:

He has received significant accolades, including a national Emmy Award, an RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award, and a Peabody Award for his reporting on Hurricane Katrina in 2005 as part of the “NBC Nightly News” team. 

• Notable Coverage:

Throughout his career, Quintanilla has covered a wide array of major domestic and international events.

This includes the Beijing and London Olympics, the reconstruction of post-war Iraq, the 2004 U.S. presidential campaign, the Israeli-Lebanon conflict, and the European debt crisis in Greece. 

• Documentaries:

He has also been the correspondent for several one-hour documentaries for CNBC, such as “The Costco Craze: Inside the Warehouse Giant,” “BMW: A Driving Obsession,” “Big Mac: Inside the McDonald’s Empire,” “Trash Inc: The Secret Life of Garbage,” and “The Money Chase: Inside Harvard Business School.” 

• Prior to CNBC/NBC:

Before joining NBC, Quintanilla spent six years as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, where he covered airlines, manufacturing, and economic issues and wrote a weekly column on workplace trends.

He also worked as a reporter and columnist for the Daily Camera in Boulder, Colorado, from 1991 to 1993 and had a summer internship at NPR in Washington D.C.

His personal interests include a passion for storytelling, reflected in his documentary work, and a commitment to philanthropy, notably through involvement with organizations like The Children’s Aid Society and The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp.

Early in life, he aspired to be a disc jockey, showcasing an initial interest in media and communication.

Early Life and Education

Born in Midland, Michigan, Carl Quintanilla grew up in a community that shaped his early media ambitions.

As a high school student, he interned at Westword Magazine in Denver, Colorado, under editor-in-chief Patricia Calhoun, gaining foundational journalism experience.

Quintanilla pursued higher education at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1993.

During his college years (1991–1993), he worked as a reporter and columnist for the Daily Camera in Boulder, honing his writing skills.

He also spent a summer as an editorial assistant for National Public Radio (NPR) in Washington, D.C., further deepening his media exposure.

Parents and Siblings

Quintanilla was raised in Midland, Michigan, by his parents, Robert Quintanilla and his mother, whose name is not publicly disclosed.

His parents are of Mexican descent, and Quintanilla identifies as Hispanic American. Information about his siblings is not available in public records, as he has kept details about his family private.

His upbringing in a Hispanic household and his early exposure to journalism through internships suggest a supportive environment that encouraged intellectual and professional growth.

Career

Quintanilla’s journalism career began at The Wall Street Journal (1994–1999), where he served as a staff reporter in the Chicago bureau, covering airlines, manufacturing, and economic issues.

He also wrote a weekly front-page column on workplace trends, establishing his expertise in business journalism. In 1999, he joined NBCUniversal, marking the start of his tenure with CNBC.

From 1999 to 2002, he was a correspondent for programs like Business Center and served as a special correspondent for Fox X-press on Fox News.

He co-anchored CNBC’s early-morning show Wake Up Call before joining Squawk Box as a co-anchor from December 2005 to July 2011.

In July 2011, Quintanilla transitioned to co-anchor Squawk on the Street, a role he continues to hold, and later anchored Squawk Alley (now replaced by Money Movers).

He has also co-anchored TechCheck and contributed to Closing Bell. Beyond CNBC, Quintanilla was a New York- and Chicago-based correspondent for NBC News, covering major events for Today and NBC Nightly News, including five Olympic Games, the 2004 U.S. presidential election, and international conflicts in Israel and Iraq.

From 2010 to September 2015, he substitute-anchored NBC Nightly News for hosts Brian Williams and Lester Holt.

Documentary

Quintanilla’s documentary work for CNBC includes titles like The New High: Extreme Sports, #TwitterRevolution, The Costco Craze: Inside the Warehouse Giant, BMW: A Driving Obsession, Big Mac: Inside the McDonald’s Empire, Trash Inc: The Secret Life of Garbage, and The Money Chase: Inside Harvard Business School.

In 2007, he traveled to China for the Big Mac documentary. Since June 2014, he has been a correspondent for HBO’s Real Sports, notably presenting a story on Stephon Marbury in January 2015.

However, Quintanilla faced criticism for moderating the third Republican presidential debate in 2015 at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he and his CNBC co-moderators were deemed ill-prepared and rude.

He also drew scrutiny from Jon Stewart post-2008 financial crisis for not challenging Wall Street executives, notably after asking Allen Stanford about being a billionaire.

Carl Quintanilla has covered a wide range of significant financial and economic events throughout his career. Some of his most notable coverage includes:

Major Financial Events

• 2008 Financial Crisis – Reported extensively on the collapse of major financial institutions and the subsequent economic downturn.

• Hurricane Katrina (2005) – His coverage earned him an Emmy Award, Edward R. Murrow Award, and Peabody Award for excellence in journalism.

• 2016 Republican Presidential Debate – Served as a moderator for CNBC’s debate, though the event was met with criticism for its handling.

Investigative & Documentary Work

• Big Mac: Inside the McDonald’s Empire – Explored McDonald’s expansion in China and its global business strategies.

• The Costco Craze: Inside the Warehouse Giant – Provided insights into Costco’s business model and consumer impact.

• Trash Inc: The Secret Life of Garbage – Investigated the global waste management industry.

• The Money Chase: Inside Harvard Business School – Examined the influence of Harvard Business School on global finance.

International & Political Coverage

• Olympic Games & Military Conflicts – Reported on international events, including conflicts in Israel and Iraq.

• Stock Market Trends & Corporate Strategies – Regularly analyzes market movements and interviews top executives.

Awards & Recognitions

Carl Quintanilla has received several prestigious awards for his contributions to journalism, particularly for his coverage of major events:

• Emmy Award – Recognized for his outstanding reporting on Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

• Edward R. Murrow Award – Honored for excellence in broadcast journalism, particularly for his investigative work.

• Peabody Award – Awarded for his impactful coverage of Hurricane Katrina, highlighting the crisis and its aftermath.

Carl Quintanilla has worked alongside several notable journalists and financial analysts at CNBC. Some of his key colleagues include:

Current CNBC Colleagues

• Jim Cramer – Co-anchor of Squawk on the Street, known for his energetic market analysis.

• Andrew Ross Sorkin – Co-anchor of Squawk Box and founder of DealBook at The New York Times.

• Becky Quick – Co-anchor of Squawk Box, specializing in interviews with top executives and policymakers.

• Joe Kernen – Longtime co-anchor of Squawk Box, focusing on market trends and economic policies.

• Scott Wapner – Host of Fast Money Halftime Report, covering real-time market movements.

Former Colleagues & Industry Peers

• Brian Williams – Quintanilla occasionally substituted for Williams on NBC Nightly News.

• Lester Holt – Quintanilla also filled in for Holt on NBC broadcasts.

• Melissa Lee – CNBC anchor known for hosting Fast Money and other financial programs.

Quintanilla has collaborated with many influential figures in financial journalism, contributing to CNBC’s reputation as a leading business news network.

Financial Status

Quintanilla’s net worth is estimated to range from $2.5 million to $9.5 million, accumulated through his extensive journalism career.

His annual salary as a CNBC anchor is reported to be between $500,000 and $3.1 million, with some sources citing $3 million.

In 2017, he and his wife purchased a seven-bedroom, 6.5-bathroom home in Bridgehampton, New York, for $3.2 million, indicating significant financial stability.

These figures, while varying across sources, reflect his success as a leading financial news anchor.

Personal Life

Here’s a look at Carl Quintanilla’s personal life:

• Age: Born on September 10, 1970, making him 54 years old as of 2025.

• Zodiac Sign: Virgo.

• Ethnicity: Mixed heritage.

• Nationality: American.

• Relationship Status: Married to Judy Chung since 2005.

Carl Quintanilla Wife

Quintanilla married Judy Chung in 2005, a former television producer for CNBC and MSNBC who now works as a product manager for Ralph Lauren.

Chung holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criticism, Conservation, Journalism, and History from New York University and a Master’s degree in Architecture from the Pratt Institute.

The couple has twin daughters, Ava Jane and Lily Anna, and resides in Bridgehampton, New York. Quintanilla is actively involved in philanthropy, serving as Vice Chairman of The Children’s Aid Society (2009–2012) and on the board of The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp, which supports children with serious illnesses.

Carl Quintanilla Physical Attributes

• Height: 5 feet 9 inches (1.80 meters)

• Weight: Estimated to be around 160-175 pounds (73-79 kg)

• Distinguishing Features: Dark hair and brown eyes

Carl Quintanilla is active on X (formerly Twitter) at @carlquintanilla. He frequently shares business news, market updates, and economic insights.