He was born in Zalău, and from 1988 to 1993 attended the Technical Military Academy of Bucharest, becoming a mechanical engineer and graduating first in his class.
In 1999 he earned a Master of Business Administration through a programme organised by the University of Ottawa, HEC Montréal and the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies.
[1] In the Senate, he sat on the following committees: budget, finance, banking and capital markets (2006-2008); equal opportunity (2006); and privatisation and administering state assets (2004-2006).
Additionally, he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment in a case involving a corruption scandal at the state hydroelectric company, but appealed that ruling.
The catering firm of which she was director signed a number of no-bid contracts with the Economy Ministry while her former husband was in charge there.