James M. Kilts, ’74

Founding Partner
Centerview Capital

Jim Kilts

James M. Kilts is the Founding Partner of Centerview Capital, a private equity firm which was founded in 2006.  Previously, Mr. Kilts served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Gillette until it merged with The Procter & Gamble Company; at that time he became Vice Chairman of the Board of The Procter & Gamble Company. 

Prior to Gillette, Mr. Kilts served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Nabisco until its acquisition by the Philip Morris Companies.

Before joining Nabisco, he had headed the $27 billion Worldwide Food group of Philip Morris, where he was an Executive Vice President.  In that role, he was responsible for integrating Kraft and General Foods and for shaping the group’s domestic and international strategy.

Mr. Kilts previously had served as President of Kraft USA and Oscar Mayer. He also had been Senior Vice President of Strategy and Development, President of Kraft Limited in Canada, and Senior Vice President of Kraft International.  

A graduate of Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, Mr. Kilts earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School.