When you say "they would dig into their network" do you mean that first, the VCs recommend that you hire the executive, and then the executive hires his impress

When you say "they would dig into their network" do you mean that first, the VCs recommend that you hire the executive, and then the executive hires his impressive contact -- the one who is supposed to make magic? What do you suppose is going on here? Is the executive just trying to build his empire from the start? Or, are these executives circulating around in a system of favors, going from failure to failure? Do you think it's naivete, stupidity, or cynicism on the part of VCs to hire these guys?