Well, I am not seeing anything hostile in the way Mr. Herscu approached you. And even if there was something (still the way I am reading between the lines) he

Well, I am not seeing anything hostile in the way Mr. Herscu approached you. And even if there was something (still the way I am reading between the lines) he was likely told by his CEO - to put it blatantly - "Hey, get this sucker threatening me off my back". But yes, if it is possible to bypass all the lower levels, it is a good move, I had the privilege of knowing personally a few top CEO's/entepreneurs/influential people, and they always recommended me "Always talk to the higher in grade".