Jay Ward came to Pixar Animation Studios in December 1998 to work as an art department production assistant on the 2001 feature film, “Monsters, Inc.” He was soon promoted to coordinator, and in 2001 began early development work on the 2006 film, “Cars.” During the production of “Cars,” Ward’s knowledge of the automotive world let him to play different roles on the film, including the character team manager and automotive consultant to the film’s director and co-director, John Lasseter and Joe Ranft. He went on to manage the art department for “Ratatouille,” “Brave” and was the Associate Producer on the Pixar Short “Presto” in 2008.

Ward contributed his expertise on all-things-cars for Disney•Pixar’s feature film “Cars 2” and was also a key consultant in the creation and production of “Cars Land” at Disney’s California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California. “Cars Land” opened to the public on June 15, 2012. Ward continues to contribute his enthusiasm for cars and his artistic passions to the creation of any and everything within the “Cars” Franchise, and most recently worked as the Creative Director on Disney•Pixar’s feature film, “Cars 3.”

Prior to Pixar, Jay served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and attended California College of the Arts where in 1993 he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. His diverse professional background includes working as a signalman in the U.S. Navy, aircraft fueler while in college, Harley Davidson parts department manager, and freelance illustrator. Those disparate experiences have collectively given Ward an opportunity to utilize his people, collaboration, and creative skills to great success at Pixar.

Ward currently resides in Orinda, California with his wife and their two children.