Lewis wouldn't when he was the boss. There was a lot he wouldn't deal with when he was the boss.
Call Paul Louden and tell him you have put in an application to LACC and that you want his help to effect the transfer. What harm can it do? If he knows that there are people keen enough to contact him direct he knows it will be worth his while fighting their corner.
Anyone who just writes a letter and gives up when some clerk in HR sends it back marked "refused" really doesn't want to move.