I have seen such chains at Amazon. IC -> Manager -> Sr Manager -> Director -> VP -> SVP -> CEO of AWS -> CEO of Amazon.
That's only 7, but some links repeat. For example, I have seen Sr Manager report to another Sr Manager. Likewise, a VP report to another VP, and a Director report to another one.
That's only 7, but some links repeat. For example, I have seen Sr Manager report to another Sr Manager. Likewise, a VP report to another VP, and a Director report to another one.