Douglas began his experience in the petroleum industry at the bottom during his teen years, working on oil platforms and service rigs in the panhandle of Texas, the Gulf region and southern California.

Studying at Abilene Christian University and the University of Texas, Douglas in 1976, graduated in Houston with a DDS degree which was used in private practice in both the United States and Lausanne, Switzerland. Active in dentistry, he was a founding member or charter member to various Professional Societies in both laser dentistry and TMJ Dysfunction. In 1979 Douglas was selected as an Outstanding Young Man of America and in 1992 was honored as a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. Douglas graduated from the practice of dentistry to his involvement in oil exploration in 1999.

As the President and CEO of Alima International, and at the request of the Liberian government, Douglas undertook to promote and develop exploration for oil and gas off the coast of Liberia, West Africa. Under his direction, a first-ever offshore 2-D seismic survey was conducted from the border of one country to the opposite (Côte d'Ivoire to Sierra Leone). Corruption in the Charles Taylor government eventually led to more civil war and the further deterioration of safety and politics which caused the cessation of all exploration.

In 2003, Douglas became President of Salt Grass Petroleum.

Douglas, the father of four children and one grandchild resides in Brentwood, TN and is a marathoner, bicyclist who stays active and still enjoys doing third world missionary dentistry.