In 1964, Jim's college education was interrupted by the Vietnam war.  To fulfill his military service obligation, he served in a helicopter unit of the U.S. Army.  After active duty, he joined United Parcel Service and he returned to college, where he majored in Business Administration and Industrial Engineering.

In 1967, Jim's career objectives changed radically when he was promoted to a management position with UPS.  As a result, he had a long, rewarding career on the UPS management team.  Jim left UPS in 1988, at age 45.  He launched a new business venture, Encore Sports Company, in the growing sports recreation equipment industry.  He co-founded Viva Properties, a developer of international resort rental properties. 

In 1989, Jim invested in the American Blimp Corporation. He agreed to serve on the ABC Board of Directors.  In 1994, the Company began airship operations in a newly formed partnership, the Lightship Group.   Jim was elected ABC Board Chairman in 1995.  He retired from that position on August 1, 1999. 

In 2002, American Blimp Corporation acquired 100% ownership of the Lightship Group.  ABC is the world's leading airship manufacturer, with worldwide "Lightship" operations.  On July 31, 2012, American Blimp Corporation was sold to Van Wagner Communications LLC, a leading New York City based advertising company. 

The Internet is critical to worldwide commerce and supply-chain management.  In 1999, Jim and his son Jonathan established two new Internet domains.  The first, JVZaccaro.com was created to provide a vehicle for instant global business communication.  A second site, THEZinc.com allows the team to explore a vast array of new challenges and opportunities. 

Wireless telephones, in the United States, have grown to more than 300 million units from fewer than 100 million a decade ago.  More than 35% of US households are now wireless only!  More than 14 Billion text messages are sent each month in the US.   Individual wireless customers in the US use five times more minutes than users in Europe.   Today, 80% of wireless telephones are "smart" phones, connected to the Internet, with access to instant global information.

By contrast, nearly half of the 7,900,000,000 people who inhabit the earth have never used a telephone of any kind!  Global, wireless communication is still in its infancy.  The best is yet to come! 

In early 2000, a new challenge emerged.  Presented with the opportunity to save a preWWII era estate, the Zaccaro's immersed themselves in a lengthy restoration and construction project.  The home, built in 1935 for the Asbury family, is a fine example of construction techniques used in a bygone era.   Pictures of the ongoing restoration and preservation effort appear on the Photos page.