Clarendon native Larkland Morley, now technical programme manager – cloud infrastructure strategy at Google, recounts that his first interactions with technology started as a child, thanks to his father, a tradesman who built toys.

Morley continued to explore his love for technology at Vere Technical High School, where he acknowledged that, while academics were critical, his high school was keen on ensuring that students were well-rounded. Under this, the curriculum also included practical courses such as computer science. In computer science class Morley learnt how to code and write computer programmes. This experience further nurtured his passion for technology and, ultimately, found Morley pursuing a computer engineering undergraduate degree at the University of Hertfordshire in England. The enriching experience also further compelled Morley to understand the importance of marrying technological and business considerations into problems and solutions. Morley asserted that his drive towards technological solutions is based on the principle that technology is useful and helps people.

Over the years Morley is proud to have made a significant impact by working with prominent tech leaders such as IBM, CISCO Systems, Facebook, Lenovo, and now, Google. In his current role as technical programme manager, Morley is responsible for expanding Google’s footprint worldwide. Strategically, he has oversight of the development and implementation of strategies that will create, improve, maintain, and protect infrastructure. Morley is also responsible for leading, influencing, and building synergy within his team to drive success. This synergy is essential because his teams must learn quickly by adopting agile principles. This also enables them to keep abreast of “bad actors” attempting to interrupt internet traffic.

Morley also serves as chair for Technology and Entrepreneurship Taskforce at the Jamaica Diaspora TaskForce Action Network (JDTAN), a network organisation formed by Jamaicans worldwide. Their vision is to serve and give back to Jamaica through health, education, and community development. Morley’s arm is active and dedicated to increasing Jamaica’s technological and entrepreneurial standards. Through this mission, they work to ensure that global best practices are observed and that high-level training and knowledge transfers fill gaps in Jamaica’s tech sector.

JDTAN also bridges the gap between international and local partners to create synergy to achieve their goals sustainably. JDTAN’s current initiatives include a partnership with UTech, Ja and Google’s Developer Student Club, a programme that helps students prepare for the real world of work in technology through projects, training and advising. JDTAN also has relationships with Amber Group to foster the technology side through teaching and training in foundational coding knowledge. JDTAN also works closely with Santa Clara University in California and the Heart Trust to curate and offer a free online entrepreneurship programme. Morley and his team at JDTAN are also assiduously working on better connectivity solutions in underserved areas of Jamaica.

Morley’s vision is to train people in technology in a way that will nurture entrepreneurial outcomes and solve our local problems. When he thinks of legacy, Morley is proud to leverage his expertise, network and platform to champion “technology for good” to create abundance and eliminate scarcity.