Guidance on reengaging "difficult" senior person

I'm looking for some practical guidance in reengaging with a super high D senior person that I'll be a department interface to.

Background: I previously worked at the company that his director is at. In that job I worked in another division that had regular contact with that director's team. My role required me to raise issues and concerns from my division to the team this director oversaw and the core product the company was building. This was all before I'd discovered Manager Tools, read Covey/Carnegie/ etc. While it wasn't a bad relationship, I know I could have done a lot better.

I am now working for a partner of this company. This job will have me sitting on site at my former company (I left the former company some time back and until recently have been working in a completely other business). In my new roll I will be the direct company liaison for my new companies product integrating with my former company. One of the main groups I will be dealing with is the afore mentioned Director's team and the director in person.

The director could very well be described as "Dark Mark". They are an uber High D personality. They believe they know the absolute right way to get from point A to point B. When the tools didn't suit them, they went and had new tools built to suit them and then converted to them with no change over. You either learned the new tools or didn't have input. The director is very short with people below their rank, showing a preference to deal with who ever is in that persons report chain that is the same title or higher. I am in in individual contributor role at a Senior Manager level.

The ask, in detail: I'm looking for tips and suggestion on how to re-engage with this person. I've little doubt they will remember me but I am also in a completely new job roll.

Based on my MT study I think I should start with an Internal Customer Interview and possibly the new boss tips (find out what they are measured on, what is important to them). A liberal dose of Covey/Carnegie to listen and understand.

Do I even bring up the past relationship?

Anything in specific to try and make a "fresh start"?

Thanks,

Joel BC