About Town -- Power Couples: How Did They Get Together?

Ever wonder how THEY met? The power couples visible about town? With Valentine's Day coming up this week, let's take a look at how some of Seattle's well-known people met their significant others.

Pam and Joshua (Jay) Green III, chairman of U.S. Bank.

Pam was assistant manager at a competing bank on First Hill. His office was next door. A mutual friend arranged for them to meet for after-work cocktails. After making the introduction, the friend left, dinner ensued.

The Greens, he's 54, she's 44, have three children, the oldest two from his prior marriage. They have been married 16 years.

Dorothy and David Fluke, director of Fluke Capital Management Services.

Sister-in-law Jackie Fluke introduced them during a pool party at Dorothy's sister's home.

Dorothy, a past president of PONCHO, had been working at Boeing. It was the first marriage for both. They've been married 12 years.

Dorothy: ``David is an incredible person. He's always telling jokes. He's never in a bad mood.''

Jill and David Heerensperger, former owner of the Pay N' Pak chain and current owner of the new Eagle Hardware and Garden chain.

She was a hair stylist with four children and he had five. A friend of his was dating a friend of hers. The introduction was made. The first date - dinner at the Maribeau. They've been married 19 years and have several homes, including a ranch. They're avid thoroughbred breeders.

Sally and David Maryatt, co-owner of Maryatt Industries.

She was a school principal and assistant superintendent of the Lake Washington School District. They were introduced at her best friend's wedding. This Valentine's Day he is giving her a rose garden for their home in The Highlands. She's on the board of the Seattle Repertory Theatre. They have been married 11 years.

Deborah and Gene Juarez, owner and founder of the hair-styling salons that bear his name.

She was a single mom working as a jeweler. She was also a client of the salon.

Gene: ``I saw this lady getting her hair done. She was one of those people who was attracting all kinds of other people. She had charisma. She was beautiful.''

They've been married two years, have a 10-month-old daughter and two children, 6 and 8, from her previous marriage.

David and Karen Wong, the United Savings and Loan Bank. Her father started the bank, now she is general counsel and David is president.

Karen was a student at the University of California at Berkeley and had gone to Los Angeles for the weekend. David was just home from the Army. They met at a Chinese Presbyterian Church.

In no time, he was making trips not only to Berkeley but to her home in Seattle. They've been married 30 years and have one grown daughter.

Dick and Sharon Friel, charity auctioneers.

Sharon had just graduated from the University of Washington's communications program and was working at Cappy Ricks' advertising agency when she met Dick, who worked there too.

``She was sitting at the front desk when I walked in and I thought, `Wow!' '' Dick said.

Trader Vics became their frequent spot for dates. Sharon used to always order cocktails garnished with gardenias. To this day Dick still buys her gardenias and at every charity event Sharon wears a white gardenia tucked behind one ear. They've been married 27 years.

Linda and Paul Suzman, Broadmoor Baker and Business Space Resources, a real estate consulting firm.

It was thanks to a seminar on the ``1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act'' that Paul and Linda met. She was an insurance broker. He was a recent immigrant from South Africa. They've now been married eight years. She's a student at the University of Washington. They live in Broadmoor.

Mary Ann and Bill Champion, surgeon.

According to Mary Ann, Bill fell in love with her children. He met her two sons, Perry and Greg, on the ski slopes at Snoqualmie Pass. They formed such a good friendship that Bill began calling the boys' mother asking permission to take them skiing.

``Finally he arrived at the door with a bunch of iris - the boys told him it was my favorite flower,'' Mary Ann said.

She was a single mom working in public relations. They have now been married 18 years. She is president of the board of directors of the Seattle Symphony.

Bob and Dolores Fehnel, former past president of King County Boys and Girls Club.

According to Bob, they met at a Sweetheart Dance in Bethlehem, Pa., in the mid '40s.

``She was the most gorgeous, lively, intelligent young woman in school. We were in the same home room and I finally got enough courage to ask her out.''

They've been married 32 years, have three daughters and three grandchildren. They still are active volunteers for Boys and Girls Club now that both are semi-retired. He is the former director of engineering for the Benaroya Co.

Jim Whittaker, the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and Dianne Roberts, director of the Mount Everest Earth Day 20 International Peace Climb, 1990.

Jim was on a U.S. parks advisory board touring Canadian national parks when they met. Dianne was the tour director.

``We immediately liked each other,'' Dianne said. ``I figured at the least we'd have a heck of a good affair.''

After a year of long-distance romance, they married. That was nearly 18 years ago. He has three grown children from a previous marriage and three grandchildren. He and Dianne have two boys, ages 8 and 6. They make their home in Port Townsend.

Louvette and Richard Fowler, president of Fowler Foods Inc.

Scottish-born businessman Richard met Louvette while he was a judge on the Miss Philippine beauty pageant. She was a contestant and eventually won the title. They moved to Seattle several years ago with his children from a previous marriage. They built an 18,000-square-foot home in Medina.

About Town by Nancy Bartley appears Sunday and Monday in the Scene section of The Times.