Captain Zettler is a native of Springfield, VA and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May of 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering. He holds Master’s of Science Degrees in Leadership and Human Resource Development from the Naval Postgraduate School and in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

His early sea tours as a nuclear submarine warfare officer included assignments aboard USS Phoenix (SSN 702), USS Norfolk (SSN 714), USS Scranton (SSN 756), and USS Rhode Island (Blue). He served as the Commanding Officer of USS Norfolk (SSN 714) from November 2011 to October 2014. During these assignments, Captain Zettler completed four strategic deterrent patrols and multiple deployments to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Horn of Africa.

Assignments ashore include tours as a Company Officer at the United States Naval Academy; the Anti-Submarine Warfare Requirements Officer on the staff of Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command Capabilities and Resource Integration Directorate; the Deputy Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations for Joint Matters; and as the Senior Member of the Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team for Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic.

After joining the Acquisition Corps in 2016, Captain Zettler served in the Undersea Weapons Program Office (PMS 404) as the Director of Test and Evaluation, and as the Major Program Manager for the Submarine Combat and Weapon Control System Program Office (PMS 425). He assumed duties as the Major Program Manager for Navy Hypersonics – Conventional Prompt Strike in October 2020.

Captain Zettler is most proud to have served with teams that earned a Navy Unit Commendation, three Meritorious Unit Commendations, and four Battle "E" Awards for excellence. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (six awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).

He is married to the former Amy Armitage of Aiken, SC and resides in Herndon, VA.