Thimens Named UNCW Chief Procurement Officer

The UNCW Division of Business Affairs is pleased to announce that Robert “Skylar” Thimens has joined the university’s finance office as chief procurement officer.  

Thimens brings more than 16 years of higher education procurement leadership experience and a strong record of modernizing procure‑to‑pay operations, strengthening financial controls and cultivating strategic partnerships that enhance institutional value. 

Thimens was previously at the University of Wyoming, where he most recently served as senior director of strategic sourcing, procurement and payment services. In this role, he oversaw the full scope of procure‑to‑pay operations, including strategic sourcing, commercial card services, travel programs, payment workflows and ERP optimization — supporting more than $300 million in annual purchasing activity. His leadership delivered more than $600,000 in annual revenue generation, significant cost savings through centralized sourcing and meaningful efficiencies through enhanced e‑procurement, contracting and automation initiatives. 

A collaborative and forward‑thinking leader, Thimens is known for building high‑performing teams and driving process improvements that elevate customer service and operational reliability. His background spans strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, supplier‑diversity expansion, performance‑based contracting and procurement support for capital projects. He has held key procurement leadership roles at Poudre School District and Colorado State University, where he implemented scalable, data-driven operational enhancements and strengthened partnerships with faculty, staff and external vendors. 

In his new role, Thimens will lead purchasing services and support the continued advancement of procurement as a strategic campus partner. His priorities will include value creation, financial stewardship, system optimization and strengthening customer support for academic, research and administrative units. To ensure continuity during the transition, John Robinson, current director of purchasing retiring at the end of February, will work closely with Thimens throughout his onboarding period. 

Thimens holds a Master of Science in Business Management with a focus on organizational change and a Bachelor of Arts with a minor in business, both from Colorado State University. He is a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Procurement Card Professional (CPCP) and Certified Purchasing and Supply Chain Manager (CPSCM).