Gonna name drop. You might enjoy this story.I work for BNSF as a locomotive engineer here in San Antonio. You would be surprised to know a lot of my fellow engineers are UT alums. Even though our job only requires a high school diploma, many have college degrees.
I had a problem here (Miramar, CA) because the BNSF had acquired the local line hauler (forgot the name) and cars we being mishandled, returned full, you name it. Was getting no answers so I decided to try and go to the top. I got to the executive office and had a message passed to Katie Farmer, the CEO I think. Within 24 hours I was hearing from virtually every level of the BNSF and the issue was resolved very quickly.
Of course, the logistics folks in my company were pissed, and told my boss that what I had done was out of line. (Been there. Heard that.)
Moral of the story. Do it yourself and deal with the consequences later. Anyway, I was impressed...