Donald Percy has pursued multiple executive careers in the fields of research, finance and management consulting, among others. After graduating from BGSU with a degree in political science, he did graduate work at American University in Washington, D.C., while working in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He would progress through research administrator positions in Princeton and later at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He also served as president and CEO of the Jackson Multispecialty Medical Clinic in Madison, as well as president and CEO of the University of Wisconsin Credit Union.