Williams leaving Keeneland post

R. James "Jim" Williams, the longtime director of communications for the Keeneland Association in Lexington, Ky., announced Tuesday that he will retire in December.

Williams, 63, has worked in a publicity and marketing capacity at Keeneland since he was hired at age 25 in 1971. Keeneland has not named a successor.

Keeneland's president, Nick Nicholson, said in a release that Williams "has conducted himself in a manner that has enhanced Keeneland's stature in the eyes of everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him."

Williams called working at Keeneland "a phenomenal privilege."

The last race meet that Williams will work is the fall meet, to be run Oct. 9-30.