STUART, Florida--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 6, 2026--
APP Jet Center, a leading provider of aviation services, announced today the appointment of Eric Hietala as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Hietala will lead all aspects of the company's FBO operations, as well as supporting the growth of the network. Eric will also join the company's Executive Leadership Team.
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Mr. Hietala brings deep sector knowledge of the business aviation industry, and an exceptional track record of leadership through a strong focus on safety, customer service and employee well-being. These skills perfectly align with the execution of APP Jet Center’s long‑term strategy and value creation.
“We are delighted to welcome Eric as our new COO,” said Mark Johnstone, CEO of APP Jet Center. “In the few short weeks since we closed the acquisition of APP Jet Center on March 10 th, and with Eric joining the team, we now have an exceptional leadership team in place to deliver operational excellence, and growth.”
Prior to APP Jet Center, Eric most recently served as a consultant to the business and general aviation industry. Previously, he held roles of increasing responsibility at Signature Aviation, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Airport Property Development and Senior Vice President of the West Region, overseeing 68 FBOs and more than 1,500 employees.
Eric earned his undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University and his Juris Doctor from San Francisco Law School while working full time in the business aviation industry. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1989 and initially practiced insurance and tort law before transitioning his career focus to business aviation.
Eric is a private pilot, holding a SEL rating.
“I’m truly excited to be joining APP Jet Center at the start of our growth journey. I’m looking forward to partnering with Mr. Johnstone, Bain Capital and the entire APP Jet Center team as we look to grow to a 30+ location network,” said Eric Hietala.
Last month, APP Jet Center announced its acquisition by Bain Capital, and two weeks ago also announced the hire of Sharyar Aziz at CFO.
About APP Jet Center
APP Jet Center is an aviation company of fixed-based operations (FBOs) and airport real estate. It serves corporate and private air clients in strategically convenient and efficient locations within major U.S. markets including Stuart, Fl. (at Stuart Witham Field; SUA), Washington D.C. (at Manassas Regional Airport; HEF); San Francisco (at Hayward Executive Airport; HWD); and Fort Pierce, Fla. (at Treasure Coast International Airport; FPR); APP Properties also owns and operates 65,000 square feet of aircraft hangars at Centennial Airport (APA) in Denver, Colo. For more information, visit www.appjetcenter.com.
Eric Hietala joins APP leadership team.
TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares surged in Wednesday morning trading, as oil prices plunged after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 5.0% to 56,106.18 in early trading. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 2.6% to 8,952.30. South Korea’s Kospi soared 5.9% to 5,819.97. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 2.6% to 25,767.42, while the Shanghai Composite added 1.7% to 3,957.55.
Benchmark U.S. crude sank $16.84 to $96.11 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard dropped $14.51 to $94.76 a barrel.
That came as a reaction to the ceasefire as the recent spike in their prices was directly in response to the war, which had effectively blocked passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Much of the world's oil supply is transported through the strait, including oil headed to resource-poor Japan.
“Yet the mood remains one of cautious optimism rather than outright celebration. The ceasefire is only two weeks long, and markets will be watching closely to see whether shipping through the Strait of Hormuz normalizes as promised and whether the fragile truce can pave the way for a more durable peace agreement,” Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade, said.
Late Tuesday, Trump said he was holding off on his threatened attacks on Iranian bridges, power plants and other civilian targets. Iran’s foreign minister said passage through the strait would be allowed for the next two weeks under Iranian military management.
Global stocks have gyrated in recent weeks since the war began in late February. Trump's deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz came at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Earlier on Wall Street, shares rallied at the end of trading after Pakistan’s prime minister urged Trump to extend his deadline for another two weeks and asked Iran to open up the strait. The S&P 500 erased all its losses and ended with a modest gain of 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 85 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.1%.
In the bond market, Treasury yields eased on word of a potential ceasefire. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.24% from 4.30% earlier Tuesday.
In currency trading, the U.S. dollar fell to 158.54 Japanese yen from 159.52 yen Wednesday. The euro cost $1.1671, up from $1.1597.
AP Business Writer Stan Choe in New York contributed to this report.
Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama
Currency traders work at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a screen as traders work at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
A person walks by an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei index in Tokyo Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (Yuya Shino/Kyodo News via AP)
John Mauro works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Ed Curran works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
