Claudiu joined Ashton Thomas Private Wealth in 2021 as Director of Fixed Income and Portfolio Manager. In 2022, he became Director of Investments and Trading and then Senior Director, Head Trader and Portfolio Manager in 2024. In his current role, Claudiu leads the Asset Management team, which is comprised of experienced financial professionals from a range of industry backgrounds. The team provides trading, portfolio strategy, risk management, and investment research solutions to the firm's wealth advisors and their clients.

Prior to joining Ashton Thomas, Claudiu was Senior Portfolio Trader with Voya Financial, where he covered multiple market sectors and contributed to the broker-dealer’s overall asset allocation strategy. Previously, he had an extensive career with Vanguard, primarily as a Senior Fixed Income Trader. He was an inaugural member of Vanguard’s Fixed Income Special Transactions team, where he focused on building customized fixed income solutions for high-visibility, ultra-high-net-worth clients of the firm. These portfolios often contained complex financial instruments, as well as tailored, sophisticated cash management strategies.

“Advisors who serve high-net-worth clients typically oversee complex investment portfolios,” says Claudiu. “There is usually a need for creative thinking and an experienced perspective when seeking solutions to match their specific mandates. This is what I enjoy doing most.”

Born and raised in Romania, Claudiu and his family emigrated to the United States in 1983, settling in the North Shore of the Chicago metropolitan area. The family relocated to Indianapolis during his teenage years, where he attended Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School. Claudiu moved to the desert southwest for college at Arizona State University, graduating in 1999 with a degree in Finance and a minor in Economics and has remained in Arizona since. He currently resides in Scottsdale.

Securities brokerage services are provided by M.S. Howells & Co., Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer and Member of FINRA/SIPC. M.S. Howells & Co., Inc. is not affiliated with Ashton Thomas Private Wealth, LLC.