IAAPA Presents: Tokyo Disney Resort - Sold Out

Previously, Gaku has worked at Oriental Land Co., Ltd. In the Resort Development Department and the Theme Port No8 Opening Planning Department.

Jason Lovelace is the Tokyo Disney Resort Portfolio Executive Project Manager for Walt Disney Imagineering, with a focus on developing the Resort and continuing to deliver world class guest experiences.  Jason’s most recent project role was Ride Executive Project Engineer for four new attractions at Fantasy Springs, the eighth and newest port of call at Tokyo DisneySea.  Spanning nearly 26 acres, it’s not only the largest land addition since Tokyo DisneySea opened in 2001 but also the biggest in Disney Parks history.
Jason began his full-time career with the Design and Engineering group at the Walt Disney World Resort in 1998.  Since joining The Walt Disney Company, Jason has contributed in multiple engineering, project, and operational leadership roles at Disney sites around the world, including Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort in California, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Resort.  
In 2001, Jason received Disney’s lifetime achievement award, Partners in Excellence.  In 2003, Jason won the Ride and Show Mentor of the Year Award for his work with collegiate engineering teams.  In February of 2013, Jason was awarded a second lifetime achievement award, the Disney Legacy Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Cast, Crew, and Imagineers.  In 2021, Jason was recognized as part of the Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction for his contributions to the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction.   
Jason is a husband and father of 3. He is a Professional Engineer, with a B.S.E.E. from the University of Central Florida and an MBA from the University of Florida.

Marcus De Souza is the Engineering Director supporting Tokyo Disney Resort (TDR) with a focus on the resort development, and providing safe and enjoyable guest experiences.  Marcus works with the Oriental Land Company (OLC), the owner operator of TDR under license with Disney, and he consults on technical, reliability and safety issues.
Marcus started off his career at Disney in 2011 in Ride & Show Engineering working on major projects including but not limited to ride rehabs, attraction enhancements, park expansions and special projects. He supported the opening of new attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean in Shanghai, Frozen at Epcot and was the lead Mechanical Engineer on the Soarin third theater expansion at Epcot in 2016. He was the Manager for the Ride & Show Mechanical Engineering department for 5 years.
In his current role, he most recently supported the opening of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo Disney Sea (TDS), the largest park expansion in Disney history with four attractions, three quick service restaurants, and an in-park themed boutique hotel.
Marcus started off his career in the automotive industry where he worked on large development projects including factory builds in North America, South America and Europe.  During his tenure in automotive, he designed automated conveying systems, customized vacuum chambers and hydraulic systems for large reaction injection mold (RIM) presses.  He won two awards for his innovative designs for a mold ejector system for high impact automotive foam parts, and a safer more environmentally friendly mold release system.
Marcus then ventured into the Marine industry where he spent 15 years.  In this role, Marcus created innovative designs for hydraulic steering systems, rudders, drives and trim systems for high-speed boats, hydraulic boat lifts for yachts, swim platforms for cruisers, and special equipment for the US Navy.  Marcus also designed the first ever steer-by-wire system for a high-speed boat, which was showcased at the Miami Boat Show in 2001.
He is a Professional Engineer, with a BSME from the University of Waterloo, and an MBA from the University of Florida.
 

Previously, Ryotaro has worked at Oriental Land Co., Ltd. In the Human Resources Division, Food Division, Operation Division, and the Theme Port No.8 Enhancement Division.