Grandmaster Zacker was born in Dearborn, Michigan in 1956. Along with his brother and sister, he was raised by his grandmother after his mother's death in 1963. His first martial arts training was in Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do with a friend whose uncle had just returned from Korea. In the late 60's he would watch classes being taught by Master Dale T. Drouillard and was then enrolled by his grandmother. From early to late 70's he trained under Mr. Manuel Salis, a student of Master Ed Ormanian, at the Encore Rowing Club. In addition, Master Ormanian directly trained him in traditional Chinese weapons and Tang Soo Do.

From 1980 to 1987 he trained with Grandmaster Jae Joon Kim until Grandmaster Kim moved his headquarters to Florida. He then returned to Master Drouillard in Wyandotte, MI. He opened his first school in the 80's at the American GI Forum Hall in Detroit where he taught Tang Soo Do and traditional Chinese weapons. During this period he also began training in Shotokan Karate under Master Bobby Bell, fighting full contact and further studying the weapons of Japan and Okinawa.

Grandmaster Zacker also worked as a personal Body Guard in the 80's, and in the early 90's was appointed Director of Security for the city of Dearborn and sworn in as an ordinance officer with security responsibility for the Dearborn Twin Towers, Ford World and Ford Motor Credit.

In 2003 Grandmaster founded the Tang Soo Do Martial Arts Society.

In 2004 he left his position as a licensed State of Michigan Technician to pursue Tang Soo Do on a full time basis. That same year he was listed in "The Greatest People of Tang Soo Do" by Len Losik
He is also promoted to the rank of 8th Dan.

In 2005 he is inducted into the 2005 International Martial Arts Hall of Fame WIF and was presented a lifetime achievement award. He also becomes a member of the World Stunt Association, working with filmmakers on martial arts fight scenes. His headquarters become an official World Stunt Association training center.