Francis Mechner received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Columbia University and his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology (1957) from the Columbia University Graduate Faculties of Pure Science where he also served on the teaching and research faculty for four years. His professional activities and publications over the years have been in basic experimental research in the field of behavior, behavior technology, training, education, early childhood development, and theory. His system for learning and practicing skilled performance is based on behavioral principles and physiology. 

Mechner is fluent in German, French, Spanish, English, and Portuguese, is a pianist of concert caliber, has a Master rating in chess (2236), and a "5-dan" rating in the oriental strategy game "go." Previously, he was heavily involved in oil painting and lepidoptery.  

Mechner has also been active for the past 38 years in the founding and management of business enterprises.