[beatgammit]

Have you tried talking to the exec? Take him out to lunch or something and get to know him. Find out his professional interests, get a feel for his motivations, and understand his relationship to the CEO.

Once you understand him, you can make a gameplan. Since you said the exec is close with the CEO, he's probably a good friend to have, and patching things up with him can really improve how you look to the CEO.

Business is about people, and technical accomplishment only goes so far. Figure out how to make the right people happy and you'll go far.