Bill Barker is the owner and head instructor of Progressive Tactics Martial Arts in the Metro Detroit area. His martial arts journey began in 1975, marked by several starts and stops until 1984, when he made the decision to fully commit to serious training. He first studied Tae Kwon Do and later transitioned to Tang Soo Do—arts that form the core foundation of the Progressive Tactics curriculum.

Under the guidance of his instructor, Noah Cadle, Bill was encouraged to broaden his experience by training with any instructors who were willing to teach him, with the expectation that he would bring the knowledge back to strengthen his home school. This open-minded approach shaped his development and remains a hallmark of Progressive Tactics today.

Over the years, Bill has earned black belt rankings in Tang Soo Do, Shiho Karano Kenpo, Jujitsu, and Kobudo (Kobujitsu). He also holds respected ranks or instructor certifications in Iaido, Ba Men Chun Fa, and the Force Continuum program. His highest rank is 6th-degree black belt.

Bill began his Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) training in 1999 after attending a seminar with Professor Remy Presas. From that point forward, he sought out every opportunity to train with leading FMA instructors across the country. On December 8, 2016, Grandmaster Rick invited him to join the newly formed SMP organization, which Bill has proudly supported ever since. PG Barker became president of SMP Arnis in September, 2025.