Frances P. Mainella was born in 1947 in Willimantic Connecticut. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree from Central Connecticut State College. In 2002 she received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Central Connecticut State University.

Prior to her position at the National Park Service, Mainella served twelve years as Director of Florida’s State Parks, which were awarded the Gold Medal Award, recognizing Florida as the best state park system in the country. She was the 16th Director of the National Park Service of the United States and first woman to hold that position. She was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2001. She announced her retirement in July 2006 and resigned effective October 15, 2006. Mainella joined Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management on November 1, 2006 as a Visiting Scholar.