CIA Director Shops in Downtown McLean

CIA Director David H. Petraeus went shopping in downtown McLean this rainy afternoon.

McLean Patch spied him dressed in a dark suit in Jos. A. Bank next door to Greenberry's. It was the perfect time to shop.  No one on the streets. The store had perhaps one other customer.

We asked how he liked McLean. He told us with a smile that his address is an "undisclosed location."

Then added, "We love being back in Northern Virginia. I feel very priviledged to be able to serve our country and especialy to be able to do it as head of the CIA which has an exordinary workfoce and a mission of enormous importance to our country."

With that he (and his security detail) headed for the ties and shirts.

A few minutes later they left as quietly as they had come. A few doors up they stopped at the Verizon store.

We asked for a picture. The retired four-star general very politely declined.

David H. Petraeus was sworn in as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency by Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Sept. 6,  in a ceremony at the White House.

Petraeus, who most recently served as the Commanding General of American and International Forces in Afghanistan, is the twentieth Director of the CIA, which is McLean's largest employer.

In a message to CIA employees on Sept. 6, Petraeus said: I wanted to join this Agency for many of the same reasons that I joined the US Army 37 years ago – for the opportunity to serve with extraordinary people, to continue to contribute to critical missions, and to be able to further serve our great country. Today, I feel much the same way as I did as a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant – excited by the challenge, inspired by the company, and honored by the duty. I eagerly look forward to starting our work together, and to bringing our Agency’s unique strengths to bear on the many foreign threats and opportunities our country faces.

Five things to know about the new neighbor.