Big Brothers Big Sisters welcomes new chief growth officer

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts has tapped Chris Thompson as its chief growth officer. In this role, Thompson will be responsible for strengthening the newly merged agency’s relationship with the communities of Berkshire, Franklin and Hampden counties.

“We’re thrilled to have Chris’ expertise at this crucial time for our agency,” David Beturne, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts, said in a statement. “He brings a great deal of experience in sales, promotions and community engagement. That’s what we looked for during this search — someone who was interested in making new relationships in the three counties.”

A western Massachusetts native, Thompson was honored with the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty award in 2009. He currently sits on the board of Arrha Credit Union and is a former commissioner for the Western Massachusetts Sports Commission and West Springfield’s Parks and Recreation Commission. As co-founder and owner of the Westfield Starfires of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, Thompson brings experience in the areas of advocacy, community outreach, business development and external relations.

Thompson served on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County board of directors between 2014 and 2021. He brings with him more than 20 years of experience developing marketing partnerships and generating revenue for iconic regional brands, such as the Springfield Falcons Hockey Club, where he developed a corporate partnership program, and where he led the launch of the Springfield Thunderbirds Hockey Club, serving as senior vice president of sales and strategy.

“This is truly a unique opportunity for me — a chance to partner with an organization I have been passionate about for many years; a chance to challenge myself in new areas; and the opportunity to use my experience and perspective to help the agency grow during our rebrand,” Thompson said in a statement. “I am thrilled to join David Beturne, as well as the highly dedicated staff of BBBS and our board of directors to serve in this new role.”

MassHire holding Health Occupations Career Fair

GREENFIELD — The MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center is offering a Health Occupations Career Fair at Greenfield Community College’s dining commons on Monday, Feb. 26, from noon to 2 p.m.

Attending employers include Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Behavioral Health Network, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Hilltown Community Health Center, O’Connell Care at Home, RegalCare at Greenfield, ServiceNet and Valley Medical Group, to name a few.

Advance registration is not required. For more information, visit masshirefhcareers.org/for-job-seekers/job-fairs-recruitment-events.

Garden Cinemas screening ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ as next silent film

GREENFIELD — The classic silent film “The Passion of Joan of Arc” (1928) will be screened at the Garden Cinemas on Monday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m.

The screening will feature live accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based composer who specializes in creating music for silent films. Admission is $10.50 for adults and $8.50 for children, seniors and students.

Directed by Denmark’s Carl Theodor Dreyer, “The Passion of Joan of Arc” chronicles the trial of Jeanne d’Arc on charges of heresy, and the efforts of ecclesiastical jurists to force Jeanne to recant her claims of holy visions.

“The Passion of Joan of Arc” is the latest installment of a monthly series of silent film screenings at the Garden Cinemas. The series aims to recreate the lost magic of early cinema by bringing crucial elements needed for silent film to work: classic films in best available prints, projection on the big screen, live musical accompaniment and a live audience.

For this film, Rapsis will improvise a score from original musical material that he creates beforehand, using a digital synthesizer to recreate the sound and texture of a full orchestra.

“What I try to do,” Rapsis said in a statement, “is create music that bridges the gap between a film that might be 90 or 100 years old, and the musical expectations of today’s audiences.”