A. Eugene (Gene) Kohn, a longtime trustee—and even longer-time member—of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), has been appointed as Life Trustee for his “meaningful, distinctive, and extraordinary” service to the Washington, D.C. non-profit research and education organization. The elevation of Kohn, founder and chairman of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), to Life Trustee by the ULI Global Governing Trustees marks the first time the honor has been bestowed on an architect.

“Throughout my professional career, ULI’s values have served as a guiding principle,” said Kohn in a statement. “ULI has tremendous reach throughout the architectural community and has catalyzed positive change across the globe. After four decades as a member of ULI, I’m deeply grateful to be named a Life Trustee.”