DEF 14A


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Raven Industries, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Raven Industries, Inc.
205 E. 6th Street
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Telephone 605-336-2750


April 11, 2016


Dear Shareholder:

You are cordially invited to join us for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. (Central Daylight Time) at Raven Corporate Headquarters, 205 E. 6th Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the Proxy Statement that follow describe the business to be conducted at the meeting. We will also report on matters of current interest to our shareholders.

Your vote helps to lower overall proxy costs and eliminates phone calls. Whether you own a few shares or many, it is important that your shares are represented. If you cannot attend the meeting in person, you may vote your shares as described in the following materials.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Sincerely,
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel A. Rykhus
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 





























RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
205 E. 6th Street
P.O. Box 5107
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57117-5107
____________________________________________________

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 24, 2016
____________________________________________________
Time
9:00 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, May 24, 2016
 
 
 
Place
Raven Industries Corporate Headquarters, Downtown, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
 
205 E. 6th Street
 
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
 
 
 
Items of
(1)
Elect seven directors.
Business
(2)
A non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation for executive officers disclosed in this proxy statement.
 
(3)
Ratify the appointment of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 
(4)
Consider such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
 
 
 
Record Date
You are entitled to vote if you were a shareholder at the close of business on April 4, 2016.
 
 
 
Annual Meeting
If you are a shareholder, please come to the Annual Meeting and present proof of ownership of Company stock at the registration table. The Annual Meeting is open to shareholders and those guests invited by the Company.
 
 
 
Voting by Proxy
Please submit a proxy as soon as possible so that your shares can be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions. You may submit your proxy:
(1)
over the Internet;
(2)
by telephone; or
(3)
by mail.
 
 
 
 
For specific instructions, refer to page 1 of this proxy statement and the voting instructions on the proxy card.

THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND PROXY CARD ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED ON OR ABOUT APRIL 11, 2016.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
Secretary


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 24, 2016.
The Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are available at: http://investors.ravenind.com/financials.cfm






PROXY STATEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
PAGE
General
Voting Securities and Proxies
Ownership of Common Stock
Election of Directors
Say on Pay
Ratification of Auditors
Board of Directors
Committees
Corporate Governance
Non-Management Director Compensation
Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Committee Report
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Summary Compensation Table
Grants of Plan Based Awards in Fiscal 2016
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2016 Year-end
Option Exercises and Stock Awards Vested in Fiscal 2016
Potential Payments on Termination or Change-in-Control
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
Audit Committee Report
Other Matters





PROXY STATEMENT
of
RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
205 E. 6th Street, P.O. Box 5107
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57117-5107

Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
May 24, 2016
0GENERAL

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Raven Industries, Inc. (the “Company” or “Raven”) to be used at the Annual Meeting (the “Meeting”) of Shareholders of the Company, which is to be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at 9:00 A.M. (C.D.T.) at Raven Industries Corporate Headquarters, 205 E. 6th Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy were first sent or given to shareholders was April 11, 2016. Each shareholder who signs and returns a proxy in the form enclosed with this Proxy Statement may revoke it at any time prior to its use by giving notice of such revocation to the Company in writing or in open meeting or by such shareholder giving a valid proxy bearing a later date. Presence at the meeting by a shareholder who has signed a proxy does not alone revoke the proxy. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 4, 2016 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

2VOTING SECURITIES AND PROXIES

The Company has outstanding only one class of voting securities, Common Stock $1.00 par value, of which 36,295,101 shares were outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date. Shareholders representing a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote must be present in person or represented by proxy in order to constitute a quorum to conduct business at the Meeting.

You are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock that you hold, except for the election of directors. With respect to the election of directors, if you vote for all nominees, one vote per share will be cast for each of the seven nominees. You may withhold votes from any or all nominees. Except for the votes that shareholders of record withhold from any or all nominees, the persons designated as proxies in the proxy card will vote such proxy “FOR” and, if necessary, will exercise cumulative voting rights to elect the nominees as directors of the Company. If you wish to cumulate your votes in the election of directors, you are entitled to as many votes as equal the number of shares held by you at the close of business on the Record Date, multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. You may cast, under the cumulative voting option, all of your votes for a single nominee or apportion your votes among any two or more nominees. For example, a holder of 100 shares may cast 700 votes for a single nominee, apportion 100 votes for each of seven nominees or apportion 700 votes in any other manner by so noting in the space provided on the proxy card. The cumulative voting feature for the election of directors is also available by voting in person at the Meeting; it is not available by telephone or on the Internet.

In the election of directors, the seven director nominees who receive the highest number of votes will be elected as directors. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock represented at the Meeting, either in person or by proxy, assuming a quorum is present, is required to approve any of the other proposals. If an executed proxy is returned and the shareholder has abstained from voting on any matter, the shares represented by such proxy will be considered present at the Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and for purposes of calculating the vote, but they will not be considered to have been voted in favor of such matter. If a signed proxy is returned by a broker holding shares in “street name,” and it indicates that the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote certain shares on one or more matters, such shares will be considered present at the Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum but will not be considered to be represented at the Meeting for purposes of calculating the vote with respect to such matter.


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2OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK

The following table shows certain information regarding beneficial ownership of the Company's common stock as of the Record Date by: (i) any person known by the Company to be the owner, of record or beneficially, of more than 5% of the Common Stock, (ii) each of the executive officers, directors and nominees for election to the Company's Board of Directors, and (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group.
Name
of beneficial
owner
 
Non-voting stock units vested
 
Shares
beneficially
owned
 
 
Percent of class
Jason M. Andringa
 
10,987

 
9,170

 
(11) 

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steven E. Brazones
 
 
 
6,550

 
(1) 

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thomas S. Everist
 
16,647

 
30,869

 
(11) 

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mark E. Griffin
 
16,647

 
23,651

 
(11) 

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kevin T. Kirby
 
15,058

 
38,207

 
(11) 

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marc E. LeBaron
 
15,043

 
21,662

 
(11,13) 

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Janet L. Matthiesen
 
 
 
32,263

 
(2 
) 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brian E. Meyer
 
 
 
51,067

 
(3 
) 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cynthia H. Milligan
 
19,352

 
14,248

 
(11) 

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel A. Rykhus
 


 
307,391

 
(4) 

                  *
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
 
 
 
40,250

 
(5) 

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anthony D. Schmidt
 
 
 
74,207

 
(6) 

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Heather A. Wilson
 

 

 
(11) 

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
100 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
 
 
 
2,502,404

 
(7) 

6.9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Neuberger Berman Group LLC
605 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10158
 
 
 
2,409,108

 
(8) 

6.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
100 Vanguard Blvd
Malvern, PA 19335
 
 
 
2,846,143

 
(9) 

7.8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BlackRock, Inc.
40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
 
 
 
2,058,124

 
(10) 

5.7
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All executive officers, directors
and nominees as a group (13 persons)
 
 
 
649,535

 
(11,12) 

1.8
* Less than 1%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 








2








(1)     Includes 6,550 shares that may be purchased within 60 days by exercise of outstanding options.

(2)    Includes 30,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days by exercise of outstanding options.

(3)    Includes 35,550 shares that may be purchased within 60 days by exercise of outstanding options.

(4)    Includes 185,075 shares that may be purchased within 60 days by exercise of outstanding options.

(5)    Includes 39,150 shares that may be purchased within 60 days by exercise of outstanding options.

(6)    Includes 52,175 shares that may be purchased within 60 days by exercise of outstanding options.

(7)    Data based on Schedule 13G filed by the shareholder with the SEC on January 11, 2016.

(8)     Data based on Schedule 13G filed by the shareholder with the SEC on February 10, 2016.

(9)    Data based on Schedule 13G filed by the shareholder with the SEC on February 10, 2016.

(10)    Data based on Schedule 13G filed by the shareholder with the SEC on January 27, 2016.

(11)     Does not include non-voting vested Stock Units held by the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors.

(12)    Includes 348,500 shares that may be purchased within 60 days by exercise of outstanding options.

(13)    Includes 19,622 shares held Indirectly by spouse, as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.








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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
2Proposal No. 1

Director Nominees and Qualifications. Seven directors are to be elected at the Meeting, each director to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders. All of the nominees listed below are now serving as directors and all of the nominees have agreed to serve.

The following paragraphs provide information as of the date of this proxy statement about each nominee. The information presented includes information each director has given us about his or her age, all positions he or she holds within the Company, his or her principal occupation and business experience for the past five years, the names of other publicly-held companies of which he or she currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years, and whether each director is independent. Independence has been determined according to Nasdaq listing standards.

As described below under “Corporate Governance - Nominations to the Board of Directors," in considering nominations to the Board of Directors, the Governance Committee of the Board considers such qualities as the individual's experience, character, integrity and other factors. As a whole, the Board believes the current Board is composed of directors who bring diverse experiences and backgrounds relevant to the Company's business; who form a balanced core of business executives with varied expertise; who have substantial experience outside the business community, and who will represent the balanced, best interests of the shareholders as a whole. We also believe that all of our director nominees have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards. They each have demonstrated business acumen and an ability to exercise sound judgment, as well as a commitment of service to our Company and our Board. Each nominee's description below includes information regarding each nominee's specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led our Board to the conclusion that he or she should serve as a director.

Name of Nominee (Age)
Director Since
Director Independence
Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships in Public Companies in Past Five Years, and Qualifications to Serve as a Director of Raven
Jason M. Andringa (40)
2013
Independent Director
Mr. Andringa was named the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vermeer Corporation, Pella, Iowa on November 1, 2015. Prior to that, he held the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer from November 1, 2014 to November 1, 2015 and President of Forage & Environmental Solutions for Vermeer Corporation. Vermeer Corporation manufactures equipment for the construction, agriculture, surface mining, forestry and landscaping industries and serves markets around the world. Prior to his current role in the company, Mr. Andringa also served as Vice President for Dealer Distribution and Global Accounts and was based in the Netherlands while serving as Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. With Vermeer, his level of supervision of financial personnel and audit procedures gives him an understanding of accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions; as a result, he is considered an "audit committee financial expert." He brings a strong understanding of manufacturing and operations and substantial experience in both domestic and international markets. Prior to joining Vermeer, Mr. Andringa was a staff engineer for four years at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he applied his Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT. In addition to his board membership for a number of Vermeer subsidiaries, Mr. Andringa also serves on the Board of Advisors for Camcraft and the Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy of Iowa. Mr. Andringa's educational and professional background qualifies him to serve as director and provides valuable business and strategic insight to the Board.
 
 
Thomas S. Everist (66)
1996
Independent Director
Mr. Everist was named Chairman of the Board of the Company on April 1, 2009. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Everist Company, Sioux Falls, SD, a position he has held since 2002. He was President and Chief Executive Officer, L.G. Everist, Inc., Sioux Falls, SD, from 1987 to 2002. These companies mine and produce construction materials including aggregate, concrete and asphalt. He brings a strong understanding of production and logistical operations. Since 2006, he has been the managing member of South Maryland Creek Ranch, LLC, a land development company, and President of SMCR, Inc., an investment company. He is a director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., Bismarck, ND, a publicly-traded energy and utility company, where he chairs the Compensation Committee. He is also a director of several non-public companies, including Showplace Wood Products, Bell, Inc. and Everist Health, Inc. Mr. Everist brings demonstrated success in business and leadership skills, serving as president and chairman of his companies, headquartered in the Company's home state, for over 28 years.

4



 
 
Name of Nominee (Age)
Director Since
Director Independence
Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships in Public Companies in Past Five Years, and Qualifications to Serve as a Director of Raven
Mark E. Griffin (65)
1987
Independent Director
Mr. Griffin has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Lewis Drugs, Inc., Sioux Falls, SD since 1986. Lewis Drugs is a regional retail department and drug store chain. He is a board member of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. He is also President and Chief Executive Officer of Griffson Realty Company, Fredin Associates and G.E.F. Associates, Sioux Falls, SD. Mr. Griffin brings over 30 years of experience as a CEO of a significant retail business and a real estate company, among other businesses, in the Company's home community. Not only does he bring extensive operations, marketing and distribution experience, but he also has a valuable perspective on local issues involving real estate, work force and other matters.
 
 
Kevin T. Kirby (61)
2007
Independent Director
Mr. Kirby is CEO and a director of Face It TOGETHER, a non-profit organization. He was the Executive Vice President and Treasurer of Western Surety Company from 1979 to 1992. In this position he developed an understanding of accounting principles, internal controls and audit committee functions; as a result he is considered an “audit committee financial expert." He was elected a Director of the Company in 1989 and resigned his position in 2001. From 1993-2001 he chaired the Raven Audit Committee. He was asked to rejoin the Board in 2007. Mr. Kirby brings to the Board over 30 years of expertise in corporate finance and investment management, as well as an insurance background, and provides a valuable risk management perspective.
 
 
Marc E. LeBaron (61)
2011
Independent Director
Mr. LeBaron has been Chairman/CEO of Lincoln Industries in Lincoln, NE since 2001. Lincoln Industries is a supplier of products requiring high performance metal finishing. Since 2005, he has served on the Board of Directors of Ballantyne Strong, Inc., a publicly-traded technology company. He serves on Ballantyne's Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committees. He is also a director of Assurity Security Group, Inc., Lincoln, NE. Mr. LeBaron brings his experience as the CEO of a Midwestern ISO certified manufacturer, recognized as one of the best places to work in America. His organizational leadership experience, ability to identify and implement business strategy and knowledge of corporate governance give him the operational expertise and breadth of knowledge which qualify him to serve as director.
 
 
Daniel A. Rykhus (51)
2008
Not Independent
Mr. Rykhus was named President and Chief Executive Officer on August 20, 2010, and had been Executive Vice President of the Company since 2004. He was the General Manager of the Applied Technology Division from 1998 through 2009, growing the division's sales from $15 million to over $100 million. He joined the Company in 1990 as Director of World Class Manufacturing. Mr. Rykhus is a Director of Great Western Bank, a publicly-traded financial services company, where he serves on the Executive Committee, Governance and Nominating Committee and chairs the Compensation Committee. He also serves on the boards of many non-profit organizations in Sioux Falls, SD. The Board believes that Mr. Rykhus is an appropriate representative of management on the Board given his position as a senior executive officer and his long tenure with the Company. In addition, Mr. Rykhus brings a wealth of industry experience to the Board.
 
 
Heather A. Wilson (55)
2016
Independent Director
Dr. Wilson has been the President of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, a science and engineering research university in Rapid City, South Dakota since 2013.  Prior to being named President, Dr. Wilson served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing New Mexico’s first district from 1998-2009. Dr. Wilson served on the National Security Council Staff at the White House under President George H.W. Bush. She also previously worked as a senior advisor to several large scientific and defense companies.  She is a Director of Peabody Energy, a publicly-traded and global coal company, where she serves on the Audit Committee, as well as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Dr. Wilson brings an educational background and a wealth of experience in a variety of domestic and global issues that pertain to Raven’s technology and markets.



All shares represented by proxies will be voted FOR all the previously named nominees unless a contrary choice is specified. If any director nominee should withdraw or become unavailable to serve for reasons not presently known, the proxies that would otherwise have been voted for such nominee will be voted for a substitute nominee that may be selected by the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE UFORU ALL NOMINEES.

5




ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (SAY ON PAY)
Proposal No. 2
 
The Company's executive compensation program is designed to align the interests of the executive team with those of Raven shareholders. “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” that begins on page 12 explains our compensation programs in more detail. In summary, the shareholders should approve our executive compensation for the following reasons, among others:

Our executive compensation program uses salary and benefits, a management incentive program and a long-term incentive plan to achieve our goals, with a focus on tying compensation to corporate performance while remaining competitive to retain and attract an outstanding management team.
In fiscal 2013 and again in fiscal 2015, the company worked with an independent compensation consultant to evaluate our compensation relative to our peers and to modify our long-term incentive compensation program (LTIP) to incorporate performance-based restricted stock units (RSUs), tying compensation more closely to corporate performance and the long-term creation and protection of shareholder value.
In fiscal 2014, 2015 and 2016, all years when Raven had lower financial performance results, annual incentive plan payments were sharply lower than in the preceding years. There were no annual incentive plan payments for fiscal 2016. Further, under the LTIP, our financial results in each year starting in fiscal 2013 will continue to substantially impact the executives' payouts under the RSU awards, which are based on a three-year performance period.

At the annual meeting, the shareholders will be given the opportunity to vote for or against a non-binding resolution to approve the compensation of the named executive officers of the Company, as described in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" and the tabular and narrative disclosure regarding executive compensation contained in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. For the reasons described above, the Board recommends that shareholders vote to approve the executive compensation of the Company.

Because the vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Board. However, the Personnel and Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE UFORU Proposal No. 2.  




RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Proposal No. 3
 
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2017. While it is not required to do so, our Board is submitting the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for ratification in order to ascertain the views of our shareholders with respect to the choice of audit firm. If the selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are not expected to be at the Annual Meeting.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE UFORU Proposal No. 3.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

The Board of Directors held four regular meetings and three telephonic meetings during the last fiscal year. The Company has an Audit Committee, Personnel and Compensation Committee and Governance Committee. All directors attended at least 75 percent of their Board and Committee meetings.


6




Governance Committee.
Members:
Cynthia H. Milligan (Chair)
Jason M. Andringa
Thomas S. Everist
Mark E. Griffin
Kevin T. Kirby
Marc E. LeBaron
Heather A. Wilson (appointed 3/18/16)
 
 
Independence:
All of the Committee members meet the independence requirements of Nasdaq listing standards.
 
 
Responsibilities:
The Governance Committee reviews corporate governance standards and nominates candidates for the Board of Directors. It met two times in fiscal 2016. The Committee is also responsible for assessing the Board's effectiveness. It has established policies regarding shareholder communications with the Board, nominations and related party transactions which are available on the Company's website, www.ravenind.com.
 
 
Charter:
The Charter is available on Raven's website, www.ravenind.com.
 
 
Audit Committee.
Members:
Kevin T. Kirby (Chair)
Jason M. Andringa
Cynthia H. Milligan
 
 
Independence
and Financial Expertise:
The Board has determined that each member of this Committee meets the requirements to be named “audit committee financial experts” as defined by the SEC rules implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Committee members also meet the independence requirements of Nasdaq listing standards, including the applicable independence requirements for audit committee membership.
 
 
Responsibilities:
The Audit Committee monitors the Company's procedures for reporting financial information to the public. It held seven meetings in fiscal 2016 with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. It is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm and has the sole authority to appoint or replace the independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee reviews the scope of the annual audit and also discusses the results for the quarter and the Company's earnings release draft with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. It also reviews related reports and recommendations and pre-approves any non-audit services provided by such firm. The Committee maintains open lines of communication with the Board of Directors, Raven's financial management and the independent registered public accounting firm. See the “Audit Committee Report” on page 28.
 
 
Charter:
The charter is available on Raven's website, www.ravenind.com.
 
 
Personnel and Compensation Committee.
Members:
Mark E. Griffin (Chair)
Thomas S. Everist
Marc E. LeBaron
 
 
Independence, Insiders
and Interlocks:
All of the Committee members meet the independence requirements of Nasdaq listing standards, including the applicable independence requirements for compensation committee membership. No executive officer of the Company served as a member of the Compensation Committee or Board of Directors of another entity in which one of whose executive officers served on the Company's Compensation Committee or Board of Directors during fiscal 2016.
 
 
Responsibilities:
The Committee reviews the Company's executive remuneration policies and practices, and makes recommendations to the Board in connection with compensation matters affecting the Company. It held three meetings in fiscal 2016. Compensation matters concerning the Chief Executive Officer were approved by the full Board in executive session, with the Chief Executive Officer excused. See the “Compensation Committee Report” on page 17.
 
 
Charter:
The charter is available on Raven's website, www.ravenind.com.


7



4


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Leadership Structure. Raven has kept the CEO and Chairman positions separate since 1961. The duties of the Chairman of the Board include collaborating with the CEO to establish an agenda for Board and shareholder meetings, chairing the meetings, and calling executive sessions, as needed. The Chairman, along with the Governance Committee, leads the establishment of governance standards. The Chairman also helps facilitate communication among Board members and with Raven management.

The Board does not have a firm policy as to whether the position of the Chair and the position of the CEO should be separate and intends to preserve the freedom to decide what is in the best interests of the Company at any point of time. However, the Board does strongly endorse the concept of one of the outside directors being in a position of leadership for the rest of the outside directors.

Nominations to the Board of Directors. The Governance Committee of the Board of Directors seeks to recruit highly skilled and participative candidates who have the ability to strengthen the Board of Directors. Current directors whose performance, capabilities and experience meet the Company's expectations and needs are typically nominated for reelection. In accordance with Raven's Nominations Policy dated August 28, 2012, directors are not re-nominated after they reach their 72nd birthday.
 
Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Incorporation, the size of the Board shall be between seven and eleven members. The Bylaws provide that the number of directors within the range of seven and eleven members will be established by action of the Board. A majority of the directors must be independent, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Company's lawyers, investment bankers and others with business links to the Company may not become directors. Interlocking directorships are not allowed.

Recognizing that the contribution of the Board will depend on not only the character and capabilities of the directors taken individually but also on their collective strengths, the Board should be composed of:

 
Ÿ
 
Directors chosen with a view toward bringing to the Board diverse experiences and backgrounds relevant to the Company's business;
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ
 
Directors who will form a balanced core of business executives with varied expertise;
 
 
 


 
Ÿ
 
Directors who have substantial experience outside the business community - in the public, academic or scientific communities, for example; and
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ
 
Directors who will represent the balanced, best interests of the shareholders as a whole rather than special interest groups or constituencies.

In considering possible candidates for election as a director, the Governance Committee is guided in general by the composition guidelines established above and, in particular, by the following:

 
Ÿ
 
Each director should be an individual of the highest character and integrity and have an inquiring mind, vision and the ability to work well with others and exercise good judgment;
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ
 
Each director should be free of any conflict of interest which would violate any applicable law or regulation or interfere with the proper performance of the responsibilities of a director;
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ
 
Each director should possess substantial and significant experience which would be of particular importance to the Company in the performance of the duties of a director;
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ
 
Each director should have sufficient time available to devote to the affairs of the Company in order to carry out the responsibilities of a director; and
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ
 
Each director should have the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interests of the shareholders as a whole.


8



Consistent with the Company's Bylaws, and the Governance Committee Charter, the Governance Committee will review and consider for nomination any candidate for membership to the Board recommended by a shareholder of the Company, in accordance with the evaluation criteria and selection process described above. Shareholders wishing to recommend a candidate to the Governance Committee for consideration in connection with an election at a specific annual meeting should notify the Governance Committee well in advance of the meeting date to allow adequate time for the review process and preparation of the proxy statement, and in no event no later than the first day of February. Also, shareholders may submit director nominations to bring before future annual meetings by complying with the advance notice procedures contained in the Company's Amended Bylaws. See the timing requirements described under the heading “Other Matters - Procedures for Submitting Shareholder Proposals - Proposals or Director Nominations not Included in the Proxy Statement.”

Risk Oversight. The Board provides oversight as to how management runs the business, including management's approach to risk tolerance and risk management. Management is directly responsible for risk management. The Board considers risk management in its deliberations on various matters and has delegated aspects of its risk oversight role to certain committees. The Audit Committee considers risk, including the impact of legal, credit and regulatory compliance matters, when evaluating the integrity of Raven's financial statements. The role of the audit process and internal control systems, including the role of the Board, in monitoring and controlling risk is also reviewed by the Audit Committee. The Personnel and Compensation Committee evaluates performance of the CEO, including risk tolerance and “tone at the top." This Committee also considers the structure of the Company's compensation plans and how they might affect risk tolerance and fraud risk. The Governance Committee considers risk when determining the Board leadership structure, nominating Directors and evaluating Board performance. These Committees, which all consist solely of independent Directors, are empowered to perform independent investigations of corporate matters, should the need arise. Each quarter the full Board reviews developments within various risk categories, such as product performance, concentration and technology innovation, and reviews insurance coverage at least annually with management. The Board also considers the risk implications of Raven's business strategies, including international growth and acquisitions, along with its execution of those strategies, as the Board monitors overall Company performance.

Short Sales, Hedging and Pledging. In accordance with Raven's Policy on Avoidance of Insider Trading, the Company prohibits short sales and hedging transactions in the Company's common stock by officers and directors. The Policy also strongly discourages pledging Company securities as collateral for a loan and requires prior consent to do so.

Code of Ethics. The Board of Directors, through its Governance Committee, has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to directors, officers and all employees of the Company. The Code of Conduct is available on Raven's website at www.ravenind.com.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. Mrs. Milligan is on the Board of Directors of Wells Fargo and Co., the parent company of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which provides transfer agent, registrar services, and banking services to the Company. The Company's uncollateralized credit agreement with Wells Fargo providing a line of credit was terminated on April 15, 2015. No borrowings were made on the line of credit during fiscal 2016. Letters of credit totaling $0.7 million, issued under the previous line of credit with Wells Fargo primarily to support self-insured workers' compensation bonding requirements, remain in place.

Raven has adopted a written policy governing related party transactions. Under this policy, before effecting or continuing any “related party transaction,” the Audit Committee of the Board must first ratify or approve of the transaction and conclude that the transaction is on terms comparable to those that the Company could reasonably expect in an arm's length transaction with an unrelated third party. Under the policy, a “related party transaction” is any transaction with a related party other than one generally available to all Company employees or involving an amount less than $25,000. A “related party” is (i) a senior officer or a director, including members of their immediate family, (ii) a holder of more than 5% of our common stock, or (iii) an entity owned or controlled by the persons described in clauses (i) or (ii). The policy is available on Raven's website at www.ravenind.comH. The Company's relationship with Wells Fargo is reviewed annually under this policy.

Board Diversity. The Board recognizes that diverse backgrounds and experiences are helpful to its deliberations and includes these attributes in its nominations policy outlined in “Corporate Governance - Nominations to the Board of Directors” above. The Governance Committee seeks candidates for the Board who will represent the balanced, best interests of the shareholders as a whole rather than special interest groups or constituencies. Raven does not have a formal Board diversity policy.

Communications with the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors believes that the most efficient means for shareholders and other interested parties to raise issues and questions and to get a response is to direct such communications to

9



the Company through the office of the Secretary of the Company. Other methods are also described in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.ravenind.comH.
If, notwithstanding these methods, a shareholder or other interested party wishes to direct a communication specifically to the Board of Directors, a letter to the Board is the most appropriate method. To insure that the communication is properly directed in a timely manner, it should be clearly identified as intended for the Board:
Raven Industries, Inc.
Attention: Board Communications - (Director Name if applicable)
P.O. Box 5107
Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5107

The Corporate Secretary's Office will collect and organize all such communications. A summary of communications received will be periodically provided to the Company's Governance Committee, who will make the final determination regarding the disposition of any such communication.

The Board believes that the Company should speak with one voice and has empowered management to speak on the Company's behalf subject to the Board's oversight and guidance on specific issues. Therefore, in most circumstances the Board will not respond directly to inquiries received in this manner but may take relevant ideas, concerns and positions into consideration.

Attendance at Annual Meeting. The Company schedules its Annual Meeting concurrent with a regularly scheduled Board meeting and expects its directors to attend the Company's Annual Meeting. All seven directors elected in 2015 attended last year's Annual Meeting.

10




NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

During fiscal 2016, directors who were not full-time employees of the Company were paid a retainer fee of $30,000 cash, plus $1,500 for each board meeting, $500 for each telephonic board meeting and $1,000 for each committee meeting. The Board Chair receives an additional annual fee of $10,000 paid on the annual meeting date, in addition to Board and Committee fees. The Audit Committee Chair receives $4,000 annually for quarterly audit updates and other duties. The Personnel & Compensation Committee Chair receives an additional annual cash retainer of $4,000 and the Governance Committee Chair receives an additional annual cash retainer of $2,000 for other duties.

Directors received an annual grant of a Stock Unit Award under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Raven Industries, Inc. (the "Director Plan") originally approved by the shareholders on May 23, 2006. Directors receive a grant of Stock Units in an amount equal to $60,000 divided by the closing stock price on the date of the Annual Meeting. Retainers may also be deferred under this plan. Under the Director Plan, amounts are deferred until retirement, or a later date upon the election of the director. Deferred payouts under the Director Plan are paid in Raven common stock. In March 2014, the Board amended the Director Plan to provide that, commencing with the grants on the date of the 2014 Annual Meeting, such grants will be considered grants of restricted stock units under the Company's 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Incentive Plan"), and such grants and the common stock issued thereunder will reduce the share limitation under the Incentive Plan.

Director Compensation Table FY2016
Name
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1)
Stock Awards(2)

All Other Compensation(3)
Total
($)
($)
($)
($)
Thomas S. Everist
52,500

60,000


112,500

Jason M. Andringa
46,000

60,000


106,000

Mark E. Griffin
47,500

60,000


107,500

Marc E. LeBaron
42,500

60,000


102,500

Kevin T. Kirby
50,000

60,000


110,000

Cynthia H. Milligan
48,000

60,000


108,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  Mr. Andringa and Mr. LeBaron each deferred $30,000 of their cash retainers into Stock Units under the Director Plan.
(2) Represents 3,120 fully vested Stock Units valued at $19.23 per Unit, the price of Raven common shares on the date of the Award, May 21, 2015.
(3)  Does not include perquisites and benefits, which totaled less than $10,000 for each director.

11




EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overview

Raven's executive compensation program, developed by management and approved by the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”), is intended to be simple and straightforward, focused on a few key performance metrics, and balanced appropriately among:

Employees, managers and executives
Long-term and short-term objectives
Financial and stock performance
Cash and equity compensation

The compensation program is designed to align the interests of the executive team with those of Raven shareholders. The plan uses salary and benefits, a management incentive program and long-term equity incentives to achieve this goal, with a focus on tying compensation to corporate performance. Retention of top talent and achievement of corporate objectives measure the effectiveness of the Company's compensation program.

Raven also uses non-compensatory programs, such as annual performance reviews, employee development and education programs, and succession planning to retain and further cultivate talent. The Committee and management believe these programs are more effective than compensation alone for optimizing talent utilization and executive development.

In November 2014, the Committee engaged an independent compensation consultant to update the consultant's analysis conducted four years earlier which found that executive compensation was well below median levels for the peer group. In response to these findings, the consultant recommended that compensation be increased over time to approach targeted median levels for the peer group, including the use of performance-based stock grants within a long-term incentive plan ("LTIP") for executives and other key employees. The consultant's updated 2014 analysis found that, although Raven’s executive compensation remained below median levels for its peer group, the Committee had made progress in closing the gap in salary, annual incentives and restricted stock grants when compared to median levels over time.

Raven's financial performance for the year ended January 31, 2016, included lower sales and net income, falling 31.7% and 73.2% respectively. For fiscal 2016, Raven delivered a 3.3% return on sales, 2.8% return on assets, and 3.0% return on average shareholders equity, the calculations for which include the third quarter Vista goodwill impairment and associated financial impacts. By comparison, in fiscal 2015, Raven's sales and profits were down 4% and 26% respectively from the prior year, and returns on sales, assets and equity were all stronger than in fiscal 2016. On a trailing twelve-month basis, the peer group had average returns on sales, assets and equity of 5.3%, 4.7%, and 5.9%, respectively.

Raven's executive compensation levels have been closely tied to these company performance levels. For fiscal 2016 and 2015, overall cash compensation levels were down because annual management incentive plan payments declined with the declines in net income. Further, performance-based restricted stock unit grants increase the relationship between pay and performance. For the performance-based restricted stock units granted in fiscal 2015, 2016 and 2017 vesting and the level of performance shares received will depend on Raven's return on equity over the three-year period.


12



Objectives of the Company's Executive Compensation Program

Alignment with Shareholder Interests
Raven's compensation program is designed to motivate and reward Raven's executives to achieve the short and long-term goals that will enhance and protect shareholder value. The short-term goals are embodied in our annual compensation plans and include income growth, budgeted revenue targets, efficient working capital utilization, and return on assets. The goals are set to be both challenging and achievable, so as to encourage reasonable risk taking and motivate performance. Building on these short-term objectives, the program also seeks to reward executives for enhancing shareholder value over the long term. Raven's long-term objectives include growing sales and net income and efficiently utilizing invested capital.

In order to strengthen the relationship between corporate financial objectives and compensation levels, and consistent with the advice of the independent consultant, the Committee approved the LTIP in 2012, with goals closely tied to the long-term creation of shareholder value. To strengthen the relationship between awards under the LTIP and shareholder returns, in February 2014, the Committee approved the use of return on equity as the financial metric for restricted stock units granted under the LTIP starting in fiscal 2015.

Raven has guidelines requiring executives to retain 50% of the “net profit shares” obtained via stock option or award. Our executives are strongly encouraged not to sell shares other than when paying taxes on option exercises. Executives have historically retained a substantial portion of their shares. The shares owned by the executive officers of the Company are listed on page 2 of this proxy statement under the caption “Ownership of Common Stock.”
    
Retention
Retention aspects of the program are designed to take advantage of the experience of Raven executives and avoid unwanted turnover in the executive team. The executive officers identified on the Summary Compensation Table on page 19 (the “Named Executives”) average 11 years experience with Raven. The Committee and management believe that promotion from within and length of tenure at every level of the organization enhances productivity and decision quality.

Internal Equity and Competitiveness
Raven believes in internal equity and that having competitive compensation policies are critical to talent retention and recruiting. The Committee and management compare executive pay to other key managers and employees, both inside Raven and externally. The Company recognizes the risk of not being able to recruit top talent or losing top talent to competitors or others with higher compensation levels. Raven's growth strategy and compensation philosophy will be difficult to sustain if management turnover is high and the Company is required to recruit from outside Raven to fill numerous key positions. Therefore, as the compensation consultant's updated analysis shows, the Committee has made progress in closing the gap in target compensation levels between the Company and its peer group, especially with grants under the LTIP.

Role of Management, the Personnel and Compensation Committee and Consultants

In 2012, the Committee retained an independent executive compensation consultant, The Delves Group (the "Consultant"), to conduct a competitive compensation analysis of Raven's top nine executives. The term "Consultant" now refers to Towers Watson, which acquired The Delves Group in 2013. The Consultant delivered a report to the Committee in March 2012. The Consultant did not provide any consulting services to Raven management. The Consultant provided an updated analysis to the Committee in November 2014.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Raven recommends executive compensation for all other executives to the Committee for approval annually. He has continued to use the information and analysis in the Consultant's reports to provide additional perspective to his recommendations. Management also updates peer group information at the request of the Committee.

The Committee approves executive salaries, benefits and LTIP grants. The Committee determines the appropriate compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer and makes decisions on CEO compensation in executive session. CEO compensation is approved by the independent directors of the full Board in executive session.

Benchmarking

In its November 2014 analysis, the Consultant used data from two sources for comparison to Raven’s executive compensation:

The 2014 Towers Watson CSR Top Management Compensation U.S. Survey Report

13



(representing a 50/50 blend of the General Industry Executive Compensation Survey and
the High Technology Executive Compensation Survey)
Proxy statements from a peer group of 16 companies

In fiscal 2015, the Consultant recommended to the Committee changes to the peer group in order to better reflect companies with size, complexity and industry comparable to Raven. The peer group is listed below. The Committee believes that these 16 companies are an appropriate peer group for comparison, as well as a group that is large and diverse enough so that any one company does not alter the overall analysis. The survey data used by the Consultant was updated to include performance metrics reflected in the peer companies' most recently released proxy statements. Because of the decline in sales and net income in fiscal 2016, Raven's size is below the peer group median, as is the Company's return on sales, return on assets and return on equity.

 
 
($In millions) 
Company Name
 
Revenue*
 
 
 
ADTRAN, Inc.
 
600.1

AeroVironment, Inc.
 
266.7

American Science and Engineering, Inc.
 
109.9

Astronics Corporation
 
692.3

Badger Meter Inc.
 
377.7

Chase Corporation
 
239.6

Cognex Corporation
 
463.0

Daktronics, Inc.
 
589.8

Ducommun, Inc.
 
697.1

Erickson Air-Crane, Inc.
 
309.8

FEI, Company
 
950.3

HEICO Corporation
 
1,226.7

II-VI, Inc.
 
760.0

Lindsay Corporation
 
547.0

MTS Systems Corporation
 
561.9

Rogers Corporation
 
641.5

 
 
 
* Represents most recently reported trailing twelve-month revenue as of April 4, 2016
 
 

As it did in November 2014, the Committee intends to re-evaluate the peer group periodically, with the advice of an independent consultant, to ensure that the companies listed continue to represent an appropriate peer group for comparison.

Components of the Company's Executive Compensation Program

Base Salary
Salaries for the Named Executives are based on the scope of their responsibilities, performance, experience and potential. The salaries of their peers and direct reports inside and outside the Company were considered when setting salary levels. The primary objectives addressed by base salary in the Compensation Program are to retain and attract qualified and experienced executives into these positions. The base salary indicates the basic level of compensation commitment that Raven has to each of the Named Executives and their positions in the Company.

As management has had to recruit for executive talent and managers on a nationwide basis, the Company has been working to ensure that the Raven salary scale is more competitive and less compressed. The November 2014 analysis by the Consultant indicates that the base salaries of the Named Executives continue to be below the mean as compared to peer group companies even though the Committee increased salaries for most of the Named Executives in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 (fiscal 2016) over fiscal 2015 levels and 2014 levels, but at a much more modest rate than the increases in the prior two years because of the decline in the Company's net income. After considering management's recommendation to not increase

14



executive base salaries, the Committee has decided to hold flat the Named Executives' base salaries for fiscal 2017 because of recent Company financial performance and has not committed to future salary adjustments continuing to believe that the Company should focus on increasing at-risk compensation, such as annual management incentives' and performance-based awards under the LTIP and stock options, in order to make executive compensation more competitive. The Committee will continue to closely monitor the competitiveness of base salaries.

Management Incentive Plan
The management incentive plan is intended to pay the Named Executives when they achieve the annual growth objectives of their operations. Incentive payment maximums for the Named Executives ranged from 110% to 150% of annual base salary in fiscal 2016, which is designed to put a sizable portion of the Named Executives' cash income at risk if annual objectives are not achieved.

Incentive payments are based on formulas defined and documented at the beginning of Raven's fiscal year. Income based formulas in fiscal 2016 were targeted so that if approximately 6.25% income growth was achieved, the incentive would pay about 65% of maximum payout levels. Payments would be 40% of maximum if income was flat and would be zero if income declined by 10% or more. Maximum payouts would occur at 15% income growth, 10% return on sales and 11% return on assets. The ranges set for the performance ratios are based on peer group comparisons. The Committee approves the incentive plans, which are usually paid in March of the following year. The ranges are intended to be challenging yet achievable, with the maximum level intended to be difficult to achieve. The table included in footnote 5 to the Summary Compensation Table shows the level of payouts based on the various objectives for the past three fiscal years.

For fiscal 2016, incentive payments for the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel were based primarily on achieving net income targets with a smaller percentage based on targets for return on sales and return on assets. Mr. Rykhus could have had a maximum payout of 100% of base salary based on company-wide net income, 25% based on return on sales and 25% based on return assets. The calculation for maximum payout for Mr. Brazones and Ms. Herseth Sandlin was 80% of base salary based on company-wide net income, 15% based on return on sales and 15% based on return on assets. Income based incentives were set to begin when net income exceeded $28,600,000 and, for Mr. Rykhus, were designed to result in a payment of 65% of base salary at the targeted level of net income of $33,800,000 and the maximum incentive payment of 100% of his base salary if Raven achieved the high end of the income range ($36,600,000 in net income for fiscal 2016). Mr. Brazones' and Ms. Herseth Sandlin's incentives were based on criteria similar to Mr. Rykhus, with 52% of base salary payable at the targeted level of $33,800,000 in net income and the maximum incentive payment of 80% of their base salary if Raven achieved $36,600,000 in net income.

The other Named Executives were responsible for specific business units. Their incentives for fiscal 2016 were based on achieving growth objectives for their respective operating units and the corporation. Operating unit objectives included levels of operating income net of a charge for working capital utilization. Messrs. Schmidt and Meyer, as Division Vice Presidents, could have had a maximum payout of 80% of base salary for fiscal 2016 based on divisional results, 10% of base salary based on company-wide net income, 10% based on return on sales and 10% based on return on assets. The details of these incentive plans and the actual payouts are described under “Executive Compensation for Fiscal 2016 for the Named Executives” below.

Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
As recommended by the Consultant, the Committee reduced the number of stock options being granted annually and adopted the LTIP in April 2012. The Committee approved grants to our executives of both stock options and performance-based RSUs that vest after three years based on the achievement of three-year average targets. In fiscal 2013 and 2014, the target was based on the three-year average return on sales. The Committee changed the target performance measure to return on equity for RSU grants approved in fiscal 2015 and later. LTIP levels for the executives have been equally split between options and performance based RSUs approved through fiscal 2016. At the end of the three-year vesting period for performance-based RSUs, if at least the minimum level is reached for the three-year performance goals, the shares received under the awards will vary from 50-150% of the targeted level depending on the level of performance achieved. The inclusion of the performance-based RSUs in the LTIP has increased the percentage of the executives' compensation that is variable based on long-term performance.

For fiscal 2017, the Committee has approved a split of 35% options, 40% performance-based RSUs and 25% RSUs with time-based vesting for executives. The Committee determined that the addition of the time-based vesting would increase retention value of awards, and the value of the time-based awards will continue to depend upon the long-term value of the Company's stock, increasing alignment with shareholder interests.


15



The Committee believes these performance-based incentives further align executive compensation with the Company's objectives and help sustain Raven's strong performance on key returns ratios over the long term, while the stock options continue to tie an element of compensation to actual shareholder returns. Time-based incentives help boost retention among executives and other senior leaders. The LTIP has also improved the competitive level of executive pay at Raven because the LTIP targets incentive compensation at least at the 60th percentile of incentive compensation for the peer group.

Stock options are designed to promote the alignment of long-term interests between an executive and Raven shareholders as well as to assist in the retention of executives and key employees. The ultimate value to the executives is directly tied to the value of Raven common shares. The regular option grants are made annually, vest in equal installments over four years and expire in five years. The Committee and management believe the policy of granting options annually, along with the relatively short life of the options, helps prevent option holders from benefiting from long-term increases in the stock market and more effectively ties their compensation to Raven's success. The shorter life also reduces option expense recorded on the income statement. The Committee has never reset an option price.

Raven's stock options and RSUs have a retirement provision that provides for accelerated vesting if the employee retires at a time when the sum of his or her age and years of service exceeds 80. The agreements require one year of service after the grant before the retirement provision can be invoked. The Committee believes that the retirement provisions encourage executives to remain with Raven or, in certain instances, to give additional notice before retiring.

All Other Compensation
Raven provides other benefits to executives, which we believe to be reasonable, competitive and consistent with the overall compensation program. Raven considers these items in conjunction with base salary in meeting the objectives of retaining and attracting qualified and experienced executives. These items are detailed in footnote 6 to the Summary Compensation Table. The 401(k) and profit sharing benefits are essentially the same as all other Raven employees receive. Raven also provides supplemental health and wellness benefits available to its executives to encourage a healthy lifestyle. To the extent insurance and health benefits are subject to income taxes, executives are reimbursed for this additional tax.

Post-termination Compensation and Benefits
Raven has an employment agreement with each Named Executive, which provides for a 30-day notice period before termination and outlines the employment benefits discussed under “All Other Compensation” above. The purpose of the benefits is to attract and retain seasoned executives. Retirement benefits, available when the sum of the executive's age and years of service exceeds 80, represent a continuation of the health and insurance benefits outlined in “All Other Compensation” above and reward a long-term commitment to Raven. On August 25, 2015, the Committee approved changes to the employment agreements for more recently hired executives that eliminated the post-retirement medical benefit in exchange for a one-time lump sum payment. These changes applied to the agreements for Messrs. Brazones and Meyer and Ms. Herseth Sandlin.

Raven uses dual-trigger “Change in Control” severance agreements to protect it from the loss of executive talent during a change in control of the Company. Upon a change in control, positions held by the Named Executives may be at risk. By providing a cash benefit of one and a half to two and a half times salary and incentive payments at target if executives are terminated following a Change in Control of the company, the Committee believes that, in the event of such change in control, the agreements would serve to maintain stability within its executive group during what could be a potentially turbulent time. In March 2016, the Committee changed the multiples that apply to these payments from 2.0 to 2.5 for Mr. Rykhus and from 1.0 to 1.5 for Messrs. Schmidt and Meyer and Ms. Herseth Sandlin. The Committee found that these changes brought these arrangements in line with the standard practice for public companies and would enhance the impact of these agreements to maintain stability in the event of a change in control. See “Potential Payments on Termination or Change in Control.”

Executive Compensation for Fiscal 2016 for the Named Executives

Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Rykhus is Raven's President and Chief Executive officer. His fiscal 2016 total compensation of $1,380,154 was 14% lower than in fiscal 2015 due primarily to no management incentive plan payment in fiscal 2016 and to a lower value of LTIP awards granted. His base salary increased from $530,000 to $543,840 in fiscal 2016. This 2.6% increase in Mr. Rykhus' salary reflects the Committee's efforts to make overall executive compensation more competitive. Mr. Rykhus will not receive an increase in base salary for fiscal 2017. In fiscal 2016, his incentive plan maximum was 150% of his salary, similar to fiscal 2015. Mr. Rykhus' incentive payment was $0 in fiscal 2016 compared to $32,271, or 6% of salary, in fiscal 2015 which was only a fraction of the incentive plan maximum because net income and return on assets were below target levels.


16



Mr. Rykhus’ reported LTIP compensation declined in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 because the fair value of the awards was lower in fiscal 2016 due to the lower Raven stock price. Mr. Rykhus’ ultimate payout based on each of these awards will depend on the Company’s return on equity for the three year period starting in the year of the grant. In April 2016, Mr. Rykhus will receive the payout on his April 2013 RSU grant based on the three-year average return on sales for fiscal years 2014 through 2016.

Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Brazones has served as Raven's Chief Financial Officer since December 1, 2014. His total compensation of $550,597 for fiscal 2016 reflects his first full year in the position. His total compensation for fiscal 2015 was $199,872, reflecting two months of salary, prorated bonuses, LTIP awards, and other compensation reflecting relocation expenses. His objectives under the incentive plan for fiscal 2016 were identical to Mr. Rykhus'. Mr. Brazones did not have any management incentive payout in fiscal 2016 because the Company did not reach the minimum targets for net income and return ratios established under the plan.

General Counsel and Vice President - Corporate Development
Ms. Herseth Sandlin is Raven's General Counsel and Vice President of Corporate Development. Her total compensation of $555,274 decreased by 13% in fiscal 2016, due primarily to lower fair value of LTIP awards. Her base salary increased by 2.5% in fiscal 2016, reflecting the Committee's efforts to make overall executive compensation more competitive. Her objectives under the incentive plan were identical to the CEO and CFO. Her maximum payout under the plan was 110% of salary. Ms. Herseth Sandlin did not receive a management incentive payout in fiscal 2016 because the Company did not reach the minimum targets for net income and return ratios established under the plan.
 
Vice President Applied Technology Division
Mr. Meyer assumed the role of Division Vice President of the Applied Technology Division on May 1, 2015. Previously, Mr. Meyer had served as the Company's Chief Information Officer since 2010. His fiscal 2016 total compensation of $527,531 increased by 20% due primarily to higher base salary and LTIP grants upon taking over the new position. His maximum payout under the annual incentive plan increased to 110% of salary in fiscal 2016, similar to the other members of the executive team. Mr. Meyer's fiscal 2016 incentive payout was $0 because division income and Company net income were below the minimum targets.

Vice President Engineered Films Division
Mr. Schmidt has led the Engineered Films Division since February 1, 2012. His total compensation of $528,709 in fiscal 2016 decreased by 16% due primarily to lower management incentive plan payments compared to fiscal 2015. His base salary increased 9% in fiscal 2016, reflecting the Committee's efforts to make overall executive compensation more competitive. His maximum payout under the incentive plan was 110% of salary in fiscal 2016. In fiscal 2016, the Engineered Films Division reported $14.8 million of operating income after capital charges, a 22% decrease from the prior year. Mr. Schmidt's incentive payout was $0 in fiscal 2016 because division income and Company net income were below the minimum targets.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and discussed that Analysis with management. Based on its review and discussion with management, the Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's 2016 Proxy Statement.

Submitted by the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors:

Mark E. Griffin Thomas S. Everist Marc E. LeBaron


17



EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table presents the number of securities authorized for issuance under Raven's equity compensation plans as of January 31, 2016.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Plan Category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights

(a)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights



(b)
Number of securities
remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding
securities reflected in column(a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
1,167,678

$27.47
1,293,876

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders



Total
1,167,678

$27.47
1,293,876



18



SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal Position
Fiscal Year
Salary
Stock Awards
Option Awards
Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation
All Other Compensation
Total
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
(6) 
 
Daniel A. Rykhus
2016
543,840

399,990

400,229


36,095

1,380,154

President and
2015
530,353

500,093

499,338

32,271

49,379

1,611,434

Chief Executive Officer
2014
510,000

499,977

499,583

8,323

35,144

1,553,027

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steven E. Brazones (1)
2016
265,000

125,022

125,131


35,444

550,597

Vice President and
2015
45,865

100,007



54,000

199,872

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
2016
276,000

125,022

125,131


29,121

555,274

General Counsel
2015
269,250

167,353

167,058

9,435

21,612

634,708

VP Corporate Development
2014
255,000

172,463

171,819

3,121

18,188

620,591

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brian E. Meyer (2)
2016
238,500

124,664

124,483


39,884

527,531

Division Vice President
2015
205,932

99,888

100,051

6,255

25,684

437,810

Applied Technology Division
2014
197,000

87,512

87,777

1,608

11,412

385,309

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anthony D. Schmidt
2016
250,000

125,022

125,131


28,556

528,709

Division Vice President
2015
229,641

132,638

132,178

114,367

21,017

629,841

Engineered Films Division
2014
220,000

129,995

129,798

898

18,992

499,683

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  Mr. Brazones was named Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on December 1, 2014.
(2)  Mr. Meyer was named Applied Technology Division Vice President on May 1, 2015. Prior to that date he was the Company's Chief Information Officer.
(3)  Amounts shown reflect the aggregate fair value of restricted stock unit awards granted during the year based on achievement of targeted performance. Actual payments will be based on actual performance. The fair value of the awards based on achievement at or above the maximum performance level is as follows: Mr. Rykhus, $599,985; Mr. Brazones, $187,533; Ms. Herseth Sandlin, $187,533; Mr. Meyer, $186,995 Mr. Schmidt, $187,533. The fair value of the units is based on fair market value of the Company's common stock on the grant date.

(4) Amounts shown reflect the aggregate fair value of option awards granted during the year. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are included in Note 13 on pages 69-71 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

19



(5)  The following table describes the basis for payments under the annual management incentive plan.
Name and Business Unit
Fiscal Year
Consolidated Net Income
Divisional income
Other Factors
Total non-equity incentive plan compensation
 
(a) 
(b) 
 
Daniel A. Rykhus
2016

N/A



Entire Company
2015

N/A

32,271

32,271

 
2014
8,323

N/A

N/A

8,323

 
 
 
 
 
 
Steven E. Brazones
2016

N/A



Entire Company
2015

N/A



 
 








 
 
 
 
 
 
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
2016

N/A



Entire Company
2015

N/A

9,435

9,435

 
2014
3,121

N/A

N/A

3,121

 
 
 
 
 
 
Brian E. Meyer
2016




Applied Technology Division
2015

N/A

6,255

6,255

 
2014
1,608

N/A

N/A

1,608

 
 
 
 
 
 
Anthony D. Schmidt
2016




Engineered Films Division
2015

108,692

5,675

114,367

 
2014
N/A

898

N/A

898

 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)  Based on operating income for the division less a charge for working capital utilization.
(b)  Fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 management incentive plans included factors based upon return on sales and return on assets. No other factors besides consolidated net income and divisional income were used in fiscal 2014.
 


20



(6)  The following table describes key components of the All Other Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table.
Name
Fiscal Year
Retirement benefit and profit sharing plans
Supplemental health benefits
Other fringe benefits
Tax reimbursement on taxable fringe benefits
Total all other compensation
(a) 
(b) 
(c)(d) 
 
 
Daniel A. Rykhus
2016
11,147

13,985

2,986

7,977

36,095

 
2015
10,780

18,938

6,075

13,586

49,379

 
2014
10,367

12,476

4,451

7,850

35,144

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steven E. Brazones
2016
8,120

5,200

17,531

4,593

35,444

 
2015


54,000


54,000

 
 





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
2016
8,386

7,130

8,500

5,105

29,121

 
2015
7,954

8,720

1,602

3,336

21,612

 
2014
8,097

6,879

1,565

1,647

18,188

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brian E. Meyer
2016
9,262

11,294

11,000

8,328

39,884

 
2015
8,466

11,394

1,991

3,833

25,684

 
2014
6,921

2,160

1,932

399

11,412

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anthony D. Schmidt
2016
5,871

14,783

1,748

6,154

28,556

 
2015
4,611

10,703

2,222

3,481

21,017

 
2014
6,526

7,918

1,462

3,086

18,992

(a)  Represents the safe-harbor base and matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan. Also includes cash payments under the Company's Profit Plus plan which is paid equally to every employee, regardless of salary. The amounts under the Profit Plus Plan were $0 in each of fiscal 2014, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2016, because the Company did not achieve net income growth.
(b)  Represents reimbursement for health and wellness expenses and reduced health care premiums under the Company's Senior Executive Officer and Senior Manager benefit policies.
(c)  Mr. Brazones' other fringe benefits represent relocation costs paid during fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015.
(d) In consideration for certain executives eliminating the retiree medical program, which provided post-retirement medical benefits if an executive's years of employment and age added together exceeded 80, current senior executive officers received lump sum payments in amounts determined by each officer’s years of service to the Company as follows: Mr. Meyer, $10,000; Ms. Herseth Sandlin, $7,500; and Mr. Brazones, $7,500.



21



GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL 2016
Name
Type of Award
Grant Date
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)
(2) 
(3) 
Threshold
Target
Maximum
Threshold
Target
Maximum
(1) 
($)
($)
($)
(#)
(#)
(#)
(#)
($/Share)
(4) 
Daniel A. Rykhus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MIP
2/1/2015
0

530,746

816,533

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSU
3/17/2015
 
 
 
9,950

19,900

29,850

 
 
399,990

 
SO
3/17/2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
83,800

20.10

400,229

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steven E. Brazones
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MIP
2/1/2015
0

189,475

291,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSU
3/17/2015
 
 
 
3,110
6,220

9,330


125,022

 
SO
3/17/2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
26,200

20.10

125,131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MIP
2/1/2015
0

197,340

303,600

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSU
3/17/2015
 
 
 
3,110

6,220

9,330

 
 
125,022

 
SO
3/17/2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
26,200

20.10

125,131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brian E. Meyer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MIP
5/1/2015
0

177,320

272,800

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSU
3/17/2015
 
 
 
1,990

3,980

5,970

 
 
79,998

 
RSU
5/1/2015
 
 
 
1,120

2,240

3,360

 
 
44,666

 
SO
3/17/2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
16,800

20.10

80,237

 
SO
5/1/2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
9,400

19.94

44,246

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anthony D. Schmidt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MIP
2/1/2015
0

178,750

275,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSU
3/17/2015
 
 
 
3,110

6,220

9,330

 
 
125,022

 
SO
3/17/2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
26,200

20.10

125,131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  Type of award: MIP - Management Incentive Plan; RSU - Restricted Stock Unit; SO - Stock Option.
 
 
(2) These columns represent the range of payouts under three scenarios. The threshold amounts represent the amounts paid if the minimum performance criteria is achieved. Approximately 67% of the payouts were based on earnings growth. No payments are made under the plans if earnings fall by 10% or more. The plan targets payouts at approximately 65% of the maximum. Maximum payouts assume growth beyond the targeted level and are capped at 15% growth at the amounts shown. The remainder of the payouts were based on return on sales and return on assets compared to the Company's peer group historical returns. Actual amounts paid are outlined in Note 4 of the Summary Compensation table on page 19.
 

22



(3) These columns represent the range of performance shares to be awarded under three scenarios. The threshold amounts represent the number of performance based shares to be awarded when restricted stock units (RSU's) vest if the minimum performance criteria is achieved. No performance based restricted stock units vest under these awards if the three year average return on equity is less than a minimum level. The percentage of performance based shares issued if performance is equal to the plan target is approximately 66.7% of the maximum.
 
(4)  Option awards reflect the Black-Scholes value of $4.776 as of March 17, 2015. Mr. Meyer was awarded options on May 1, 2015 and the Black-Scholes value on that date is $4.707. All awards vest in equal installments over 4 years and expire after 5 years. RSU's are valued at the targeted performance level and the closing stock price of $20.10 on March 16, 2015 and $19.94 on April 30, 2015, the stock price on the last business day before the date of grant.
 

 
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2016 YEAR-END
 
Name
Option Awards (1)
Stock Awards (2)
 
Grant Date
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
Option Exercise Price
Option Expiration Date
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
 
 
(#)
(#)
 
Exercisable
Unexercisable
($)
(#)
($)
 
Daniel A. Rykhus
12/6/2011
60,000


29.995

12/6/2016
 
 
 
 
4/2/2012
27,600

9,200

31.655

4/2/2017
 
 
 
 
3/25/2013
26,750

26,750

32.850

3/25/2018
8,954

134,489

 
 
4/1/2014
13,600

40,800

32.750

4/1/2019
7,635

114,678

 
 
3/17/2015

83,800

20.100

3/17/2020
19,900

298,898

 
Steven E. Brazones
12/2/2014




4,350

65,337

 
 
3/17/2015

26,200

20.100

3/17/2020
6,220

93,424

 
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
8/27/2012
5,100

1,900

29.820

8/27/2017
 
 
 
 
3/25/2013
9,200

9,200

32.850

3/25/2018
3,089

46,397

 
 
4/1/2014
4,550

13,650

32.750

4/1/2019
2,555

38,376

 
 
3/17/2015

26,200

20.100

3/17/2020
6,220

93,424

 
Brian E. Meyer
12/6/2011
8,500


29.995

12/6/2016
 
 
 
 
4/2/2012
6,000

2,000

31.655

4/2/2017
 
 
 
 
3/25/2013
4,700

4,700

32.850

3/25/2018
1,567

23,536

 
 
4/1/2014
2,725

8,175

32.750

4/1/2019
1,525

22,906

 
 
3/17/2015

16,800

20.100

3/17/2020
3,980

59,780

 
 
5/1/2015

9,400

19.940

5/1/2020
2,240

33,645

 
Anthony D. Schmidt
12/6/2011
16,000


29.995

12/6/2016
 
 
 
 
4/2/2012
9,000

3,000

31.655

4/2/2017
 
 
 
 
3/25/2013
6,950

6,950

32.850

3/25/2018
2,327

34,952

 
 
4/1/2014
3,600

10,800

32.750

4/1/2019
2,025

30,416

 
 
3/17/2015

26,200

20.100

3/17/2020
6,220

93,424

 
(1)  All options vest in equal installments over 4 years and expire after 5 years.
 
 
 
(2)  Represents the number of performance based restricted stock units (RSUs) that will vest and be paid out in Raven Common Stock if the three year average return on sales or equity reaches a specified level. The performance factor percentage used represented the next highest level (threshold, target or maximum) to our actual period-to-date performance. The RSU shares expected to vest in fiscal 2017 have been adjusted to the most recent estimated performance factor as of January 31, 2016. The percentage of shares to be paid to the executive based on RSUs vesting at the plan target is approximately 66.7% of the maximum. The payout value is based on the Company's stock price of $15.01 at January 31, 2016.


23




 
OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 2016
 
Name
Option Awards
 
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise
Value Realized on Exercise
 
 
(#)
($)
 
Daniel A. Rykhus
50,000

172,250

 
Steven E. Brazones


 
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin


 
Brian E. Meyer


 
Anthony D. Schmidt


 
 
 
 
 
STOCK AWARDS VESTED IN FISCAL 2016
 
Name
Stock Awards (1)
 
Number of Shares acquired upon Vesting
Value Realized on Vesting
 
 
 
(#)
($)
 
Daniel A. Rykhus
14,795

299,303

 
Steven E. Brazones


 
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin


 
Brian E. Meyer
3,235

65,444

 
Anthony D. Schmidt
4,808

97,266

 
 
 
 
 
(1) Shares vested consist of performance-based restricted units for the fiscal 2013 - 2015 performance period that vested on April 2, 2015, at a performance level of 111.667 percent. We determined the value realized for the vesting of these shares using the fair market value of our common stock on the vesting date, which was $20.23.

24




POTENTIAL PAYMENTS ON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

The following table shows the payments and benefits that the Named Executives would receive in connection with a variety of employment termination scenarios and upon a change in control of Raven. The information assumes that termination occurs on a date after March 28, 2016, to reflect the changes the Personnel and Compensation Committee made to the "Change in Control" severance agreements in March 2016. Raven would provide all of the payments. There are no assets set aside for these benefits. The Named Executives must comply with confidentiality and non-competition provisions of the agreements to retain benefits.

The table does not include amounts otherwise due to the executives, such as earned but unpaid salary, bonus and vacation pay and benefits that would accrue to any salaried employee. The table does include the value of unvested stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs), which will vest upon a change in control for the Named Executives, as they would vest for all of Raven's other key employees, under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan. Upon a change in control, the RSUs will vest at target levels of performance. In addition, unvested stock options vest upon retirement for the Named Executives, as they would vest for all of Raven's other key employees. RSUs vest on a pro-rata basis for employees who retire 12 months after the grant date.

Termination other than for a change in control is governed by employment agreements with the executives. These agreements require 30 days written notice before termination can occur. For Messrs. Rykhus and Schmidt, who each have over 20 years of service to the Company, their agreements also have retirement provisions that, if the executive's years of employment and age added together exceed 80, allow for early retirement. Early retirement triggers post-retirement benefits under the employment agreement. Retiring executives retain health care and other insurance benefits. The retired executive will be reimbursed for health expenditures up to a percentage (10% for Mr. Rykhus, 3.5% for Mr. Schmidt) of the executive's highest salary and bonus over the last five years of employment. Retirement benefits continue until the last to die of the executive or spouse. In the case of Mr. Rykhus, the benefits are “grossed-up” for income tax purposes. In the event of an executive's death, the benefits available to the surviving spouse would be limited to vested retirement benefits.
Raven has Change in Control agreements with the Named Executives. A “Change in Control” includes (a) the acquisition by any person, entity or group of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the then outstanding shares of Raven common stock; (b) certain changes in a majority of the members of our Board of Directors, or (c) approval by the shareholders of a reorganization, merger or consolidation (with certain exceptions), or of a liquidation, dissolution or sale of all or substantially all of Raven's assets.
For the executives to obtain benefits under the Change in Control agreements, a second triggering event must occur. This would include a termination without cause or a constructive termination (the executive terminates employment after an adverse change in the officer's status or compensation). The benefits include a lump sum payment equal to the product of (A) the sum of (i) the employee's annual base salary then in effect and (ii) 60% of the maximum target or goal amount under the Management Incentive Plan for the year in which the date of termination occurs and (B) a multiple of 2.5 for Mr. Rykhus, 2.0 for Mr. Brazones, or 1.5 for others. Mr. Rykhus and Mr. Schmidt also vest under the applicable retirement benefits policy; provided that the benefits (A) will not become payable until the employee reaches age 65 (unless the benefits are payable at the employee's age at that time under the terms of the policy), and (B) will not be provided to the extent such benefits are provided by another employer at no cost to the employee.



25




 
Name
Type of Separation
Lump-sum benefits
Annual Benefits (1)
 
Salary and Incentives
Value of Non-vested Stock Options
Value of Non-vested RSU's
at Target
Total Lump-sum Benefits
Continued Insurance Coverage
Maximum Supplemental Health Benefits
Maximum Tax Reimbursement on Benefits
Total Maximum Annual Benefits
 
 
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
 
 
 
 
 
(2) 
(3) 
(3) 
 
 
Daniel A. Rykhus
Without Cause
45,320



45,320





 
 
For Cause








 
 
Change in Control
2,584,400


756,354

3,340,754

6,096

93,134

61,061

160,291

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steven E. Brazones
Without Cause
22,083



22,083





 

For Cause








 

Change in Control
879,800


158,656

1,038,456

6,096

9,275

6,081

21,452

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
Without Cause
23,000



23,000





 
 
For Cause








 
 
Change in Control
687,240


248,866

936,106

6,096

9,990


16,086

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brian E. Meyer
Without Cause
20,667



20,667





 
 
For Cause








 
 
Change in Control
617,520


179,129

796,649

6,096

11,043


17,139

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anthony D. Schmidt
Without Cause
20,833



20,833





 
 
For Cause








 
 
Change in Control
622,500


213,532

836,032

6,096

12,753


18,849

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  Annual benefits would begin immediately for executives eligible for retirement or at age 65 for the other executives. They would continue until the last to die of the executive or spouse.
 
(2)  Based on the current cost of the benefit. The program provides that the retiree will pay no more than active executives for coverage.
 
(3)  Represents the annual limit for reimbursement. Actual expenses submitted to the plan may be less.

26




3INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FEES

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm during fiscal 2016. The Company's Audit Committee has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to perform the annual audit and three quarterly reviews in fiscal 2017. The aggregate fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for fiscal 2016 and 2015 are presented in the following table:

 
2016
 
2015
Audit (1)
$
490,000

 
$
554,150

Audit Related (2)
2,600

 
2,400

Tax Services (3)
37,750

 
85,900

Total Fees
$
530,350

 
$
642,450

 
 
 
 
All items included in the above fee summary were subject to Audit Committee pre-approval. Such approval was obtained from the Committee or the Chair of the Committee prior to services performed and/or billing of services.
(1)  Total fees for the integrated audit were in accordance with the respective engagement letters and include timely quarterly reviews. Billings for out-of pocket expenses are not included.
(2)  Audit related billings include review of the Company's Form S-8 filing and response to a comment letter from the SEC.
(3)  Tax services include the review of corporate income tax filings, and advice and recommendations on various tax topics.

27




3AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Raven Industries, Inc. (the “Audit Committee”) is composed of three independent directors and operates under a written charter. A copy of this charter is available on the Company's website, www.ravenind.com. The Audit Committee selects the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has the authority to determine all funding and make any expenditures it deems necessary in order to carry out its responsibilities and duties.

Management is responsible for Raven's internal controls, financial reporting process and compliance with laws and regulations and ethical business standards. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an integrated audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”). The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring and overseeing these processes.

In this context, the Audit Committee met and held discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the consolidated financial statements were fairly presented and prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Management also presented its conclusion that, as of January 31, 2016, internal control over financial reporting was effective. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16 (Communications with Audit Committees).

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures required by PCAOB Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, and discussed the firm's independence. The Audit Committee also reviewed the services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (as disclosed under the caption “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees”) when considering their independence.

Based upon the Audit Committee's discussion with management and the independent registered public accounting firm and the representations of management and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, the Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include the audited consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors:

Kevin T. Kirby Jason M. Andringa Cynthia H. Milligan

28




3OTHER MATTERS

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of the Company's Common Stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and Nasdaq. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on review of the copies of such forms received by us during the year ended January 31, 2016, and written representations that no other reports were required, we believe that all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements were met on a timely basis.

Solicitation. The Company will bear the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy, Proxy Statement, Annual Report and other material which may be sent to the shareholders in connection with this solicitation. Brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries may be requested to forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of stock, in which case they will be reimbursed by the Company for their expenses. Proxies are being solicited primarily by mail, but, in addition, officers and regular employees of the Company, without extra compensation, may solicit proxies in person, by telephone or other means of communication.

Procedures for Submitting Shareholder Proposals:

Proposals for Inclusion in the Proxy Statement. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, any shareholder who desires to submit a proposal for action by the shareholders at the Company's 2017 annual meeting must submit such proposal in writing to President and CEO, Raven Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 5107, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57117-5107, in a timely manner. In order to be included for the 2017 annual meeting, shareholder proposals must be received by the Company no later than December 12, 2016, and must otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8. Shareholder proposals received after December 12, 2016, will not be included in the Company's proxy statement relating to the 2017 annual meeting.

Proposals or Director Nominations not Included in the Proxy Statement. For shareholder proposals or director nominations that a shareholder seeks to bring before the 2017 annual meeting but does not seek to have included in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting, the advance notice provisions contained in the Amended Bylaws will apply. In general, notice must be received by the Company not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Company first mailed its proxy materials for the preceding year's annual meeting. The notice must also contain specified information concerning the matters or director nominees to be brought before such meeting and concerning the shareholder proposing such matters or nomination. Therefore, to be presented at the Company's 2017 annual meeting, such a proposal must be received by the Company on or after January 11, 2017, but no later than February 10, 2017. If the date of the annual meeting is altered by more than 30 days from the date in the previous year, different deadlines will apply.

Due to the complexity of respective rights of the shareholders and the Company in this area, any shareholder desiring to propose such an action is advised to consult with his or her legal counsel with respect to such rights. It is suggested that any such proposal be submitted by certified mail, return receipt requested.

The Board of Directors does not intend to present at the Meeting any other matter not referred to above and does not presently know of any matter that may be presented at the Meeting by others. However, if other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxies to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment.

By Order of the Board of Directors,


Raven Industries, Inc.
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
Secretary






29





30





31