I'm with Barb on this one. Sounds to me like you and John had a great meeting, and that he is behind you 100%, becoming your advisor and such. While Mary may play a role, she's just the underling, and if John wants this to happen, and it sounds as if he does, then once you do the expansion process, things will just roll the way they normally do
You're doing such a great job Corina, and I couldn't be prouder of you!!