He transferred to and graduated from Southern Methodist University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Psychology.

[3] He was a broker for three years when investment counseling firm Lionel D. Edie, asked Acker to open a Dallas, Texas office.

[1] Acker traveled to Los Angeles, California in 1964 to discuss a possible merger between a revitalized Braniff under the administration of Greatamerica and Continental Airlines.

Acker met with Continental's legendary founder and Chairman Robert Six to discuss the possible merger which would put both companies under the Greatamerica umbrella.

He was tutored by Braniff Vice President Tom Robertson who was shocked to learn that he knew little about the complex airline business.

[4] As second-in-command at Braniff, Acker negotiated with Pan Am CEO Juan Trippe to purchase routes to the west coast of South America (PANAGRA), and introduced a hub and spoke routing system in order to feed Braniff's Boeing 747 flight between Dallas and Honolulu.

[3] He was promoted to the Presidency of Braniff in 1970 while his close associate Harding Lawrence, was elevated to Chairman of the Texas-based air carrier.

By January, 1981, Air Florida was flying to 32 destinations in the Continental United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.

Pan American was ultimately found liable for negligent security practices directly contributing to the Lockerbie Bombing.

Pan Am was a pioneer of aviation, a premier American brand and was considered the de facto flag carrier of the United States before going out of business on December 4, 1991.

[1] Acker later advised on the founding of Atlantic Coast Airlines a Delta Connection and United Express carrier.

[1] He is Chairman of the Management of Martinaire Partners, LLC, a Dallas, Texas, based scheduled freight feeder airline serving UPS.