Sorry you are having to deal with this. How frustrating! I believe you are rightly upset and I would be as well. I think you took the first correct step. You discussed it with your Director. I would then talk with the EVP. I would absolutely not confront him but I would let him know that you desired the position and were quite ready to take on that responsibility, also that you were quite disappointed when you did not get it. The EVP thinks you can’t give orders so it isn’t a far reach to assume that he doesn’t think you will stand up for yourself. So by talking with him, in a non-confrontational manner, you will be proving that you can, in fact, stand up for yourself (which isn’t a far reach from giving orders). I would also ask him very clearly what can you do to show him that you are ready for a higher position so that you can work on these skills. The best thing you can do is set yourself up for the next promotion. Prove them wrong that you weren’t the right guy this time. Your motivation isn’t to be angry and get their goat, or it shouldn’t be, because that’ll make the workplace no fun to be in. But instead show that you are emotionally stable, that you can take this in stride, and that you do have the skills so they won’t pass you up next go-around.