BOSTON -- Sky 5 helicopter pilot Mark Smith, 39, was born in Boston and grew up in Franklin, Mass., attending Franklin High School.

After earning an associate's degree in business, Smith trained at Northeast Helicopters in Ellington, Conn. He took the lead pilot position for Helicopter services in Caldwell, N.J., then taught at Northeast Helicopters, later moving to Alaska and New York where he flew charter flights.

Smith belongs to the Massachusetts Big Brothers Association and donates time and money to rescued greyhounds. He owns one and would like to someday build a small rescue shelter for them. He has also studied martial arts for six years and attained the rank of second degree Black Shaolin.