Meet our team

Shenandoah Battlefield Tours is run by Jim and Deb Goecker, a husband-and-wife duo who have teamwork down to a fine art. Jim, a Civil War historian and author, plans and conducts the private tours, while Deb is the administrative, logistical, and hospitality backbone of the company.

Over the past 30 years, Jim has presented on various topics at Civil War Roundtables (CWRT) across the country, including Louisiana, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, and Virginia. His writing has been published in the magazines “North and South” and “Shenandoah at War.” He is also the author of “Hoosier Spies and Horse Marines: A History of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry, East Wing” (McFarland, 2024). Jim’s current research is into the Union scouts and spies of the Valley, commonly referred to as “Jessie Scouts.”

He was the inaugural speaker for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation’s Online Lecture Series and is a presenter at the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum. He will be a featured speaker at the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation’s 2027 spring conference. He has also been featured in numerous episodes of the American Civil War-focused “Battlefields & Bourbon” podcast and has been interviewed on the long-running “Civil War Talk Radio” program.

Jim and Deb are lifelong learners and passionate about sharing the rich history and close connection that the Shenandoah Valley has to the American Civil War. Deb is a past docent at the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum in Winchester, Va., and Jim spends part of his time with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation as a volunteer at the Third Winchester Battlefield Park. He was honored as the 2024 Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Volunteer of the Year.

Jim currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Guides Association (SVBGA) and is a founding member.

A note from your tour guide, Jim:

“I’m Jim, a native of Indiana but a longtime Valley resident. After earning an M.A. in American History, I spent 32 years in higher education administration, spending the final 15 years as a university vice president. Throughout those decades, I kept my passion for Civil War history alive, giving presentations across the country and researching new aspects of the Civil War in my spare time. This led to the publication of my book in 2024.

I’ve spent my years in the Valley absorbing its rich Civil War history as a volunteer for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Historical District. I have visited its battlefields many times to thoroughly understand their history and have collaborated with Peter Dalton, a 25 year Valley tour guide, historian, and friend.

My wife, Deb, is an award-winning educator and my partner in Shenandoah Battlefield Tours and in life. She keeps our company running smoothly and makes sure everything we do has the personal touch of small-town hospitality.

We look forward to meeting you!”