Association Officers
John Balducci
John M. Balducci is a retired U.S. Airforce Reserve Chief Master Sergeant with 28 years of service. He served as Chief of Education and Training for Air Force Reserve Command. He later worked as a Personnel and Management Analysis for the United States Air Force at the Pentagon, Washington, DC, in a civilian capacity. At Soleil Belmont Park, John leads the Veterans Association efforts to honor veterans, support community wellness, and bring neighbors together in service.
President
George Pappas
Vice President
George grew up as an Army brat and spent his high school years in Italy. His father served 30 years in the Army as an infantryman, retirng as a Master Sergeant. George followed in his father's footsteps and attended Army ROTC at the University of Georgia. He graduated in 1981 with a BS in Computer Science. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps. While pursuing his military career, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School and earned a Masters degree in Information Technology Management. George retired from the Army in April 2001 as a Major after completing 20 years of service. After his Army career, George launched a computer business specializing in computer repair and web design and also taught as adjunct faculty for several colleges and universities. He then worked as a Computer System Administrator for a Foundry Corporation in Michigan for 11 years. After moving to Georgia, he worked for Hewlett Packard Enterprise for over seven years as a Storage Engineer and retired in September 2025.
George enjoys serving the SBP community and his church. He is one of the founding members of the Veterans Group at Soleil Belmont Park.
Tom Wagner
Treasurer
Don Sather
Secretary
Don Sather is a military veteran and retired global Human Resources executive with extensive leadership experience across public and private equity-backed organizations. Throughout his career, Don has held senior HR leadership roles focused on leadership development, human resources strategy, change leadership, mergers and acquisitions, and organizational transformation.
Don has served in a variety of global Human Resources leadership positions with leading organizations including Trimont, Regions Bank, QBE Insurance, AT&T, Honeywell, and Pepsi. His broad experience spans multiple industries and organizations undergoing significant growth, transformation, and change.
Before beginning his corporate career, Don served in the United States Army as a Captain in the XVIII Airborne Corps. His military service provided a strong foundation for his leadership philosophy and commitment to developing people and organizations.
Don currently serves as a board advisor and volunteer with Hire Heroes USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses successfully navigate the transition to meaningful civilian careers. Through personalized career coaching and employment support, Hire Heroes USA helps individuals translate their military experience, leadership, and resilience into successful professional opportunities.
Don holds a Master of Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Dayton.
Outside of his professional and community commitments, Don enjoys golf, travel, community service, and cheering on the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
Jeffrey R. Zito
General Counsel
Jeff is a corporate executive, attorney, and retired U.S. Army veteran. His civilian background includes Area President of a global risk management and insurance brokerage firm, commercial aviation, and legal representation of nonprofit organizations.
His journey began in the US Army as a dual-rated Fixed and Rotary Wing Aviator. Over four decades of active and reserve service included roles as a pilot in Vietnam, Airfield Commander in Germany, an instructor at the Army Aviation School and as a Staff Attorney (JAG) with the 213 Military Law Center. He rose to the Army's highest warrant officer rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5), ultimately serving in senior leadership at Headquarters U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). In this role, he managed the Army's aviation officer personnel management system and advised leadership on force strength during major global deployments.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Arts, Management & Supervision from Central Michigan University and a Juris Doctor from Woodrow Wilson College of Law.