Gene Farrell grew up with Taco Time’s Mexican fare, finding his way there (and maybe McDonald’s) for lunch when he was a junior and senior at Renton High School.

There was some Coca-Cola during those years. That became a torrent of Coke when Farrell was hired by the Atlanta-based soft-drink maker as a sales representative, fresh out of the University of Washington with a business degree in 1988.

But it would be a few more years before he would help meld Taco Time and Coke’s homage to the soda fountain, the high-tech Coca-Cola Freestyle as a Coca-Cola vice president known for his innovation.

Farrell grew up in Renton, living on Rainier Avenue and attending Bryn Mawr Elementary, Dimmitt Middle School and finally, Renton High. He graduated in 1984.

Asked the stock question, “How would people remember you from Renton High School,” he laughs. “That’s a loaded question,” he replies.

Athletic, Farrell ran track but most would probably remember him as a swimmer. And then there was that orange Datsun 280Z.

“I think it was like a 1976,” he says. “My dad bought it used from a dealer in Kent.”

His parents were Nancy and Gene O. Farrell, who owned Shenandoah Construction. Farrell, among other projects, developed a subdivison in Bryn Mawr.

Renton High to Farrell was pretty much the “prototypical high school,” something you might see on sitcoms or in the movies.

“Everyone knew everyone, even if they didn’t get along,” the Farrell said. He can’t recall Renton High facing the same problems that high schools do today. Even then, the school’s diversity was apparent. He had, he says, “a great high school experience.”

“When I was going there, Renton was a great working-class town where people took a lot of pride in their work and their kids,” he said.

He would cruise the famed Loop. He’s sure he got into “my share of mischief.” He still has his hair, “but it was longer back then.”

His first job with Coca-Cola was to call on mom and pop stores and convenience stores. As he puts it, “there were a lot of trees and not a lot of people.” He went on to managing larger customers and moved to Atlanta. It was back to Seattle in 1998, firming up his relationships with large customers such as Taco Time.

But in 2005, he was called back to Atlanta to head up a what was called a top-secret initiative, Coca-Cola Freestyle

So, how does Farrell explain Coca-Cola Freestyle to his friends?

“I literally tell them it’s like a fountain machine married an iPpod,” he says. Getting a drink becomes “a fun interactive experience,” he says, where someone can choose from a hundred-plus drinks mixed right on the spot.

“It really kind of re-engages you with the products of the Coca-Cola Company that you enjoyed all through your life,” he says.

The high-tech soda fountain is computer-controlled.

“We essentially build the drink on demand from mulitple ingredients,” he says, likening it to having a bottling company on a small footprint.

Farrell already knew the Tonkin family that owns Taco Time, based in Renton. He’s been a friend of Robby Tonkin, the company president, for years. And, of course, he was providing them with their Coca Cola products.

But he couldn’t tell his friends why he was headed back to Atlanta. “It was totally top secret,” he says. But whatever it is, it’s really cool, he told them.

He was already lining up Taco Time as a customer for Coca-Cola Freestyle. Test marketing was done and Taco Time was the main company to roll out the new soda fountain in the region, including in Fairwood, this spring.

“Taco Time has always been near and dear to his heart because of our Renton roots,” said Robby Tonkin.