Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a stand-alone agency of the U.S. government, responsible for gathering, analyzing and providing intelligence to decision makers within the government.
The CIA formed in 1947, after the responsibilities of its predecessor, the Office of Strategic Services, were folded into other government departments. After World War II, President Harry S Truman centralized intelligence operations in one agency.
In 2004, the intelligence community underwent a reorganization of upper management, which eliminated the Director and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence and added the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and several other key positions.
Much of the agency’s present operations are classified, leaving many questions up in the air for journalists.
The number of employees, budget and many of the activities of the CIA are classified, and are left to the imaginations of Hollywood directors and novelists (though the agency does employ an Entertainment Industry Liaison WHO? to dispel certain myths and help clarify agency operations as allowed).
Though most documents and reports produced as part of the agency’s work are classified, it does release some documents via the agency’s FOIA reading room and the National Archives. Some reference materials (such as the CIA World Factbook) are available on the CIA’s web site.
The CIA’s headquarters is located in the Langley neighborhood of McLean, Virginia. Most of the agency’s officers work in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and overseas posts are also offered.
Address
1000 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22201
Does this agency's information need updating? programs@nationalpress.org
Contact Information
- (703) 482-0623
Press Contacts
Mark Mansfield is the Director of the CIA’s Office of Public Affairs.
Leadership
An organizational chart of the CIA can be found at this link:
https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/leadership/orgchart.jpg
USAF Gen. Michael Hayden
Director of the CIA
Nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, the CIA Director oversees operations, budget and personnel matters at the agency.
Stephen Kappes
Deputy Director of the CIA
John Kringen
Director of Intelligence (until May 5)
Oversees the analytical sector of the agency, which gathers and distributes intelligence on foreign matters.
Michael Sulick
Director of the National Clandestine Service
Stephanie O’Sullivan
Director of Science & Technology
This branch of the CIA develops technology to be used for intelligence collection.
Scott White
Director of Support
Coordinates logistical elements and operational support.
Congressional Jurisdiction:
Congress and the Executive Branch share oversight of the CIA. The President, Vice President, Secretaries of State and Defense and the National Security Council guide the agency from the Executive Branch. In Congress, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence have oversight over the CIA. The Defense subcommittees of the Congressional appropriations committees oversee the classified budget of the agency.