Cane River Waterway Commission
Erika Cedars
Meet Erika Cedars, who works full-time with the Cane River Waterway Commission and serves as Operations Manager, an important connection between the Commission, Cane River, and the community.
A Natchitoches native, Erika graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in 1996 before earning her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University in 2000.
In 2003, she graduated from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, earning both her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law degrees. After practicing law in Natchitoches for many years, Erika transitioned to full-time work with the Cane River Waterway Commission.
Today, she works closely with the public to help ensure Cane River remains a safe and enjoyable resource for residents and visitors alike.
Her goal is simple: encourage responsible use of the river while helping preserve the natural beauty that makes Cane River such an important part of Natchitoches.
Mitchell Mayfield
Protecting Cane River requires more than maintaining a waterway. It requires understanding the ecosystem that makes it possible.
Meet Mitchell Mayfield, River Management Biologist.
Originally from Denham Springs, Louisiana, Mitchell graduated from Northwestern State
University in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Wildlife Management.
As River Management Biologist, Mitchell brings his education and understanding of Louisiana’s natural resources to the preservation and protection of Cane River. He looks forward to supporting the river, its ecosystem, and the community that depends on it.
KARSON EVERSULL
The Cane River Waterway Commission is made up of members of our community who bring different experiences and perspectives to the stewardship of Cane River.
Appointed to the Commission by the Natchitoches Parish President, Karson is a graduate of Northwestern State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
He is a full-time farmer and manager at Eversull Farms and serves as a board member of S&E
Farms. His background in agriculture and business gives him firsthand experience with two industries deeply connected to our region and its natural resources.
Karson hopes to use that experience to contribute to the community, support responsible growth, and make a positive impact through thoughtful leadership and collaboration.
CHAD METHVIN
For Chad Methvin, Cane River has been part of life for as long as he can remember.
Born and raised in Natchitoches, Chad grew up skiing and tubing on Cane River. He graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in 1996 and earned his degree in Business Administration from LSU in 2003.
Today, Chad is co-owner of Glory Island Plantation, where his family farms approximately 6,000 acres.
That gives him a unique relationship with Cane River. It is a place where he and his family enjoy time together recreationally, while also serving as an important water resource for his agricultural livelihood.
As a member of the Cane River Waterway Commission, Chad’s goal is to help ensure the river remains safe, accessible, and responsibly managed for the many different people who depend upon and enjoy it.
LARRY PAIGE
Meet Larry Paige, a longtime member of the Cane River Waterway Commission. Larry was first appointed to the Commission during the first administration of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and has had the opportunity to see firsthand the progress made along Cane River over the years.
Retired from BellSouth Telephone Company, Larry has remained active in serving his community. He currently serves as president of CASA of Central Louisiana for Natchitoches, Red River, and Sabine parishes, as well as president of the Verda High School Alumni Association.
Larry and his wife, Germaine Ducote Paige, have been married for more than 50 years and have two children and four grandchildren.
He is proud of what the Commission has accomplished and looks forward to continuing the work of making Cane River better and safer for everyone who lives, works, visits, and recreates here.
VAN WIGGINS
For Van Wiggins, Cane River isn't simply a waterway. It has been part of his life, his family, and his connection to Natchitoches for generations.
Born and raised in Natchitoches, Van grew up on Cane River skiing, boating, and fishing. After graduating from Natchitoches Central High School, he played collegiate baseball at Panola Junior College and Northwestern State University before settling back home in Natchitoches.
Later, Van and his wife raised their five children on Cane River, passing along the same appreciation for the water, outdoors, and traditions he experienced growing up.
His commitment to local youth also led him to help establish the Natchitoches Central High School Fishing Team, giving students opportunities to experience the outdoors while learning sportsmanship, responsibility, and conservation.
As a local business owner and member of the Cane River Waterway Commission, Van understands that Cane River is much more than scenery. It supports recreation, tourism, businesses, agriculture, family traditions, and an important part of our area's cultural heritage.
His goal on the Commission is to help preserve the safety, beauty, and future of Cane River so generations to come have the opportunity to make their own memories here.
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