After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, Doak launched a branch of the Farmers Insurance Group in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Doak would later leave Farmers to work for various other insurance companies, eventually being promoted to corporate level positions.
He previously served as a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Round Table for Business Development.
Doak was elected as Insurance Commissioner in 2010, defeating incumbent Democratic opponent Kim Holland.
John Doak and his wife, Debby, live in Tulsa with their two children, Kasey and Zack.