[marcosdumay]

> Without a reporting chain—or official support structure of any kind—I didn't know where to turn

I really don't know where you are coming from. The OP stated a clear hierarchy where you'd have a single and well known manager that you can just go and talk to.

[organsnyder]

A manager with 22 direct reports isn't going to have the bandwidth to be available when each employee needs them (unless that's all they do).