James Wells Kilby is a United States Navy admiral. He has served as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations since January 5, 2024, and held the role of acting Chief of Naval Operations from February 21 to August 25, 2025. Prior to these appointments, he was the deputy commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command from 2021 to 2024.
A 1986 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Kilby was raised in Pound Ridge, New York.