When Jack Powell and Dick Franck bought a tiny Seattle oil and coal distribution company, Harry Truman was president, and the city was living through the coldest January in its history.

The year was 1950 and the two friends and fraternity brothers had recently graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in business.

To determine who would hold the official title of president, the two played a game of gin rummy, which Powell won, with a deck of cards still stored safely at the Sound Oil office today. Each year thereafter, Franck and Powell took turns holding the title.

Jack and Dick did it all, from running the business to making sales calls and delivering oil. The two were not only successful business partners, but also lifelong friends. They enjoyed working together for many years until Dick’s passing in 2003. Jack continued on, guiding Sound Oil for the remainder of his life – another 14 years.

The backbone of the company was the partnership of Powell and Franck, and the continued ownership and involvement of their two families. Dick’s son Jim has served as Vice President for over 16 years, and Jack’s daughter Marilyn has been President since 2011.

Sound Oil now stands proudly as a majority woman-owned business. Together, Jim, Marilyn and their sisters have continued the commitment to quality and customer service that has grown Sound Oil into the beloved company it is today.