Julie Balog, director of communications for the Keeneland Association, and two others are joining the executive team of the YMCA of Central Kentucky.

Balog, who has been with Keeneland since 1999 and had been communications chief since 2011, will become vice president of marketing and communications at the Y. She starts April 29, the week after Keeneland's spring racing meet ends.

Kim Shelton will be vice president for financial development. She was previously a general manager of IMG Sports Marketing overseeing sales and sponsorship for the University of Kentucky's athletic programs. She starts April 9.

Trisha Rayner, who spent eight years in executive positions at the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, has been named chief operating officer; she begins April 8.

Tom Blackman, who had been vice president of operations for the Y for the past 12 years, retired March 15.

The appointments were announced Wednesday.

Mary Meehan: (859) 231-3261. Twitter: @bgmoms. Blog: Bluegrassmoms.com.