Say his name a lot. Give him a complimentary nickname. This indicates that you're noticing him and that he is important to you. He will be likely to bond more quickly with you when you use his name. Also, choose a complimentary nickname based on one of his qualities that you admire. For example, if he is into cycling, call him “Lance A.” This will get him to laugh and open up with you about his cycling experiences.
Make sure he's comfortable with anything you decide to call him. The best way to do this is to ask, simply saying something like: "Is it OK with you if I call you Lance A?