Kili Class
2026 Conquering Kili Class
Role
US Military Veteran
Location
Oklahoma City, OK
Kevin Shears is the CEO of FKTea, an all-natural green tea energy drink company born from his passion for endurance sports and healthy living. As a former Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), Kevin served 17 years in the military, developing the leadership skills and resilience that now drive his entrepreneurial and philanthropic goals.
After transitioning from military service, Kevin’s diverse pursuits have included building FKTea into a rapidly growing beverage company that champions health-positive energy solutions for athletes and professionals, hosting and planning charity events for veteran organizations, and pursuing a semi-professional career as a standup comedian. His varied experiences reflect his commitment to both business excellence and community service.
As an ultramarathon runner, Kevin understands the mental and physical demands of endurance challenges. He sees climbing Kilimanjaro as both a personal test and an opportunity to serve others—continuing the mission-focused mindset that defined his military career. The parallels between conquering personal limits and addressing global water scarcity resonate deeply with his belief that meaningful challenges require both individual determination and collective action.
Kevin’s free time is spent with his wife and two boys, playing tennis, football, BJJ, and honestly too many sports to name. He is excited to head to Tanzania with Nate Boyer and the 2025 cohort.
Kevin’s instagram is: mocktailpapii
Each new Conquering Kili class accepts the challenge to embark for the summit, a walk that represents the miles that many African women journey on a daily basis to fetch water for their families. While training for the climb, each team member works to raise funds and transform communities through the gift of clean water.