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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.     )

  Filed by the Registrant   x
  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant   o
 
  Check the appropriate box:

  o   Preliminary Proxy Statement
  o   Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
  x   Definitive Proxy Statement
  o   Definitive Additional Materials
  o   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)

      Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

  x   No fee required.
  o   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

        1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:


        2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:


        3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):


        4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:


        5) Total fee paid:


        o   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.


        o   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

        1) Amount Previously Paid:


        2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:


        3) Filing Party:


        4) Date Filed:


SEC 1913 (02-02) Persons who potentially are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.


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RAVEN INDUSTRIES

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

April 18, 2003

Dear Shareholder:

          You are cordially invited to join us for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. (Central Daylight Time) at the Ramkota Inn, Highway 38 and I-29, 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 is important. 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 by completing and signing the proxy card and promptly returning it in the enclosed envelope.

          We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Sincerely,

/s/ Ronald M. Moquist
 
Ronald M. Moquist
President and Chief Executive Officer


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
PROXY STATEMENT
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENTS
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS
OTHER MATTERS


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RAVEN INDUSTRIES

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.

205 East 6th Street
P.O. Box 5107
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57117-5107


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

MAY 21, 2003


TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.

          PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Raven Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held, pursuant to due call by the Board of Directors of the Company, at the Ramkota Inn, Highway 38 and I-29, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Wednesday, May 21, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. (C.D.T.) or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the following purposes:

  1.   To elect seven directors; and
 
  2.   To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

          Pursuant to due action of the Board of Directors, shareholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 2003, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

          A Proxy for the Meeting is enclosed herewith. You are requested to fill in and sign the Proxy, which is solicited by the Board of Directors, and mail it promptly in the enclosed envelope.

          If your shares are held in “street name,” please check your proxy card or contact your broker or nominee to determine whether you will be able to vote by telephone or electronically.

 
By Order of the Board of Directors
 
Raven Industries, Inc.
 
Thomas Iacarella
Secretary

Approximate date of mailing of proxy material:
April 18, 2003

 


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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 21, 2003

GENERAL

          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 Wednesday, May 21, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. (C.D.T.) at the Ramkota Inn, Highway 38 and I-29, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy were first sent or given to shareholders was April 18, 2003. Each shareholder who signs and returns a proxy in the form enclosed with this Proxy Statement may revoke the same 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 10, 2003, (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

VOTING SECURITIES AND PROXIES

          The Company has outstanding only one class of voting securities, Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of which 9,048,810 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. Each shareholder has cumulative voting rights in the election of directors and is, therefore, entitled to (i) give one nominee a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected (which is seven) multiplied by the number of votes to which such shareholder is entitled, or (ii) distribute the same number of votes among as many nominees as the shareholder deems advisable. Where cumulative voting is exercised, there shall be deemed elected the candidates receiving the most votes for the places to be filled by such election. If cumulative voting is exercised, shares of a shareholder who either abstains, votes to withhold authority to vote for the nominees named below or who does not otherwise vote in person or by proxy (including broker-nominees) will not be counted for the election of directors. If no shareholder exercises its right to cumulate votes, then directors will be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of Common Stock represented at the meeting and eligible to vote. For this purpose, a shareholder who abstains with respect to the election of a director is considered to be present and entitled to vote on the election of a director at the meeting, and is in effect casting a negative vote, but a shareholder (including a broker) who does not give authority to a proxy to vote, or withholds authority to vote, on the election of a director shall not be considered present and entitled to vote on the election of a director.

          Discretionary authority to cumulate votes is being solicited by the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise directed by a shareholder, the proxies named in the accompanying proxy card may elect to cumulate votes cast

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pursuant to a proxy by casting all such votes for one nominee or by distributing such votes among as many nominees as they deem desirable. If a shareholder desires to restrict the proxies named in the accompanying proxy card in casting votes for certain nominees, the shareholder should give such direction on the proxy card. On all matters other than the election of directors, each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote.

OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK

          The following table sets forth as of the Record Date certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock by (i) any person known by the Company to be the owner, of record or beneficially, of more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding 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   Shares        
of beneficial   beneficially   Percent of
owner   owned   class

 
 
Anthony W. Bour     23,077       *  
                 
David A. Christensen     504,063 1     5.6  
                 
Thomas S. Everist     6,100       *  
                 
Mark E. Griffin     100,990 2     1.1  
                 
Conrad J. Hoigaard     162,894       1.8  
                 
Thomas Iacarella     41,310 3     *  
                 
Cynthia H. Milligan     1,450       *  
                 
Ronald M. Moquist     413,864 4     4.6  
                 
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.
1299 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
    622,300 5     6.9  
                 
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
100 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
    1,192,500 6     13.2  
                 
All executive officers, directors and
nominees as a group (8 persons)
    1,253,748 7     13.9  
 

*    Less than 1%          

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          1Includes 325,480 shares owned by his wife, as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

          2Includes 84,998 shares held by John E. Griffin Trust of which Mark E. Griffin is co-trustee and 4,076 shares held as custodian for a minor child.

          3Includes 13,410 shares that may be purchased within 60 days by exercise of outstanding options.

          4Includes 48,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days by exercise of outstanding options. Also includes 63,000 shares held by spouse.

          5Data obtained from shareholder’s most recent Schedule 13G as of December 31, 2002, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 3, 2003, and adjusted for the two-for-one stock split on January 15, 2003.

          6Data obtained from shareholder’s most recent Schedule 13G as of December 31, 2002, filed with the SEC on February 14, 2003, and adjusted for the two-for-one stock split on January 15, 2003. The shareholder stated in that filing that: “These securities are owned by various individual and institutional investors, including T. Rowe Price Small Capital Value Fund, Inc. (which owns 1,050,000 shares,....), which T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates) serves as investment adviser with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.”

          7Includes 61,410 shares that may be purchased within 60 days by exercise of outstanding options. Also includes 388,480 shares held by spouses of officers and directors, as to which beneficial ownership is disclaimed.

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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Proposal No. 1

          Seven directors are to be elected at the Meeting, each director to hold the office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or until his successor is elected and qualified. All of the nominees listed below are now serving as directors and all of the nominees have consented, if elected, to serve as directors. The Board of Directors has nominated the following persons for election as directors:

                     
    Principal Occupation, Business Experience Past   Director        
Name of Nominee (Age)   Five Years and Directorships in Public Companies   Since        

 
 
       
Anthony W. Bour (65)   President and Chief Executive Officer of Showplace Wood Products,
Harrisburg, SD since 1999. Broker Associate Commercial Real
Estate, Hegg Companies, Sioux Falls, SD. Director of U.S. Bank
of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD.
    1995  
             
David A. Christensen (68)   Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
from April 1971 to July 2000. Director of Xcel Energy, Inc.,
Minneapolis, MN; Medcomp Software, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO;
and Wells Fargo and Co., San Francisco, CA.
    1971  
             
Thomas S. Everist (53)   President and Chief Executive Officer of The Everist Company,
Sioux Falls, SD; Former President and Chief Executive Officer,
L.G. Everist, Inc. Sioux Falls, SD, 1987-2002. Director of
MDU Resources, Bismarck, ND; SEH, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
and Showplace Wood Products, Harrisburg, SD.
    1996  
             
Mark E. Griffin (52)   President and Chief Executive Officer of Lewis Drugs, Inc., Sioux
Falls, SD, since 1986. President and CEO of Griffson Realty
Company, Fredin Assoc. and G.E.F. Assoc., Sioux Falls, SD.
    1987  
             
Conrad J. Hoigaard (66)   Chairman of the Board of the Company. President and Chairman
of the Board of Hoigaard’s Inc., Minneapolis, MN since 1972.
    1976  
             
Cynthia H. Milligan (56)   Dean of the College of Business Administration University of
Nebraska-Lincoln since 1998. President of Cynthia Milligan
and Associates (1991-1998). Director of Wells Fargo and Co.,
San Francisco, CA; Gallup Organization, Lincoln, NE; W.K.
Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek, MI and Calvert Funds, Bethesda, MD.
    2001  
             
Ronald M. Moquist (57)   President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 2000.
Executive Vice President, Raven Industries, Inc., 1985 - 2000,
Joined Raven Industries, Inc. in 1975 as Sales and Marketing Manager.
    1999  

All shares represented by proxies will be voted for the election of the foregoing nominees; provided, however, that if any such nominee should withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for reasons not presently known, such shares may be voted for another person in place of such nominee in accordance with the best judgment of the persons named in the proxies.

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          The affirmative vote of the holders of the greater of (a) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company present and entitled to vote for the election of directors or (b) a majority of the voting power of the minimum number of shares entitled to vote that would constitute a quorum for transaction of business at the meeting, is required for the election of directors. A shareholder who abstains with respect to the election of directors is considered to be present and entitled to vote on the election of directors at the meeting, and is in effect casting a negative vote, but a shareholder (including a broker) who does not give authority to a Proxy to vote, or withholds authority to vote, on the election of directors, shall not be considered present and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

          All shares represented by proxies will be voted FOR all the previously named nominees unless a contrary choice is specified.

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

          Director Compensation. The Board of Directors held four meetings during the last fiscal year. The Company has an Audit Committee, a Personnel and Compensation Committee and a Governance Committee. For the year ended January 31, 2003, directors who were not full-time employees of the Company were paid a retainer fee of $4,500 on February 1, 2002, and $6,000 on August 1, 2002, a fee of $1,200 per meeting (other than telephonic meetings) and $600 per telephonic meeting. Committee members received $600 per meeting attended. The annual retainer fee was increased to $12,000 beginning with the August 1, 2002 retainer. The Chairman of the Board receives compensation at the rate of $1,000 per month in addition to the annual retainer fee of $12,000.

          Audit Committee. The Company’s Audit Committee, which consists of Mr. Everist, Mr. Bour and Mrs. Milligan, had two meetings during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003. The Audit Committee reviewed the independent accountants’ audit plan, the independence of the independent auditors and engaged the independent accountants to audit the company’s financial statements. The Committee reviewed the results of the audit engagement, including any findings regarding the company’s financial reporting process, related internal and disclosure controls and compliance with applicable law.

          Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation on Compensation Decisions. The Personnel and Compensation Committee (“Compensation Committee”), which consists of Mr. Christensen, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Hoigaard, had two meetings during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003. The Compensation Committee reviewed the Company’s remuneration policies and practices, and made recommendations to the Board in connection with all compensation matters affecting the Company.

          Mr. Christensen is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and joined the Compensation Committee after his retirement. He abstained from any matter coming before the Compensation Committee where there was a conflict of interest. No other member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors was an officer, former officer or associate of the Company or its subsidiaries during fiscal 2003. 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 2003.

          Governance Committee. The Governance Committee was formed in November 2002. It is composed of all non-management directors and will review corporate by-laws, corporate governance standards and assess the Board’s effectiveness.

          Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. Mr. Christensen and Mrs. Milligan are on the Board of Directors of Wells Fargo and Co. which provides borrowings to the Company, the terms of which management considers competitive with other sources generally available to the Company. The largest amount of such borrowings outstanding during the year ended January 31, 2003, was $575,000, of which none remained outstanding at January 31, 2003.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

          The following table (“Summary Compensation Table”) sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation earned for each of the last three fiscal years by the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer:

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

                                                           
                                      Long-Term                
                                      Compensation                
                                      Awards                
                                     
               
              ANNUAL COMPENSATION   Securities                
             
  Underlying   All Other        
Name and Principal                           Other Annual(1)   Options   Compensation(2)        
Position   Year   Salary ($)   Bonus ($)   Compensation ($)   Granted (#)   ($)        

 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Ronald M. Moquist
    2003       262,500       150,570       104,700       20,000       12,944  
 
President and Chief
    2002       250,000       150,000       100,570       24,000       9,058  
 
Executive Officer
    2001       225,000       37,121       25,091       84,000       6,563  
 
Thomas Iacarella
    2003       135,000       58,077       57,410       10,000       6,377  
 
Vice President and
    2002       129,000       58,050       37,484       12,000       4,849  
 
Chief Financial
    2001       120,000       20,045       20,748       10,500       3,787  
 
Officer
                                               

    (1) Other Annual Compensation

                                 
    2003   2002   2001        
   
 
 
       
Ronald M. Moquist
                       
Tax reimbursement on stock based compensation
  $ 66,281     $ 69,125          
Life insurance premiums
    10,582       10,582     $ 10,582  
Company provided automobile
    8,952       3,594          
Other taxable fringe benefits
    7,763       6,664       5,748  
Tax reimbursement on taxable fringe benefits
    11,122       10,605       8,761  
 
   
     
     
 
 
  $ 104,700     $ 100,570     $ 25,091  
 
   
     
     
 
Thomas Iacarella
                       
Tax reimbursement on stock based compensation
  $ 27,169     $ 11,025          
Life insurance premiums
    4,130       4,130     $ 4,130  
Other taxable fringe benefits
    15,537       13,008       10,285  
Tax reimbursement on taxable fringe benefits
    10,574       9,321       6,333  
 
   
     
     
 
 
  $ 57,410     $ 37,484     $ 20,748  
 
   
     
     
 

    (2) Represents the Company’s contribution related to the individual’s participation in the Company’s Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plans.

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STOCK OPTIONS GRANTED FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2003

          The following table sets forth the information regarding the stock options that were granted during fiscal 2003 to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and the potential realizable value of such options if the value of the Company’s Common Stock appreciated during the term of such option at assumed rates of growth:

                                                         
            % of Total                   Potential realizable value at        
    Securities   Options                   Assumed rates of stock price        
    Underlying   Granted to                   Appreciation for option term2        
    Options   Employees   Exercise price   Expiration  
       
Name   Granted(#)1   in FY   ($/sh)   Date   5% ($)   10%($)        

 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Ronald M. Moquist
    20,000       26.2       14.00       11-18-07       77,359       170,943  
Thomas Iacarella
    10,000       13.1       14.00       11-18-07       38,679       85,471  

          1All options granted expire after five years and may be exercised at the rate of 25% per year after one year from the date of grant. Upon a change in control, vesting of options is accelerated. The option price may be paid in cash or by the delivery of shares of the Company’s common stock, held by the option holder for at least six months, valued at the market price on the date of the option exercise. Option grants of less than $100,000, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, were incentive stock options and no income tax is payable by the executives unless shares are sold. The remaining options are considered to be non-qualified. In connection with the exercise of non-qualified stock options issued prior to fiscal 2000, the Company pays a reimbursement cash bonus of 35% of the exercise price of the option to assist in payment of income taxes payable by the employee as a result of the option exercise. The plan also allows for the payment of withholding taxes on the exercise of non-qualified stock options through the surrender of shares of the Company’s common stock at market value.

          2Amounts for the executives shown in these columns have been derived by multiplying the exercise price by the annual appreciation rate shown (compounded for the term of the options), multiplying the result by the number of shares covered by the options and subtracting the aggregate exercise price of the options. The dollar amounts set forth under this heading are the result of calculations at the 5% and 10% rates set by the SEC and therefore are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, of the Company’s stock price.

AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUE

          The following table shows the stock options (adjusted to reflect the January 15, 2003, two-for-one stock split) that were exercised during fiscal 2003 by the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, the value realized by them as a result of exercising options, the number of unexercised options at the end of fiscal 2003 and the value of unexercised in-the-money options at the end of fiscal 2003:

                                                         
                    Number of unexercised   Value of unexercised in-the-        
                    options at FY end   money options at FY end ($)        
    Shares          
 
       
    acquired on   Value                                        
Name   exercise (#)   realized ($)   Exercisable   Unexercisable   Exercisable   Unexercisable        

 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Ronald M. Moquist
    42,750       344,365       48,000       83,750       482,428       644,859  
Thomas Iacarella
    15,090       150,465       13,410       26,500       133,266       161,554  

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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENTS

          Each of Messrs. Moquist and Iacarella (the “Executives”) has entered into an employment agreement with the Company (collectively, the “Employment Agreements”). These Employment Agreements can be terminated by the Company or the Executive upon 30 days notice. The Employment Agreements provide that the Executives are entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans and fringe benefit programs maintained by the Company for its executive officers. In the event of death or other termination of employment without “cause” (as defined in the Employment Agreements) during the term of the Employment Agreements, each Executive who has reached specified retirement criteria is entitled to continuation of certain benefits. These benefits will be “grossed-up” to cover anticipated income taxes payable by the Executive on the benefits.

          Each Executive has also entered into a Change in Control Agreement with the Company (collectively, the “Control Agreements”). The Control Agreements contain provisions designed to encourage the Executives to carry out their employment duties in the event of a change of control (as defined below). Such provisions state that, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company or the Executive within two years after the change in control, the Executive will receive a severance payment in an amount of twice his annual salary and incentive payment, and certain other benefits. These payments will be “grossed-up” to cover anticipated income and excise taxes.

          A “change in control” is deemed to occur when and if (i) any person becomes the “beneficial owner” of at least 30% of the Company’s stock or (ii) a majority of the Board of Directors become individuals other than “Incumbent Members” (as defined in the Control Agreements).

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

          The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s Common Stock over the last five years with the total return of the Russell 2000 and the S&P Industrial Machinery Group.

Total Return on $100 Investment Assuming Reinvestment of Dividends

(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)

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BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

          Decisions on compensation of the Company’s executives have been made by the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee” or “Committee”). Each member of the Compensation Committee is a non-employee director. All decisions by this Committee relating to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers are reviewed by the full Board of Directors. Pursuant to rules designed to enhance disclosure of Companies’ policies toward executive compensation, set forth is a report prepared by the Compensation Committee addressing the Company’s compensation policies for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003, as they affected the Company’s executive officers.

          The Compensation Committee’s executive compensation policies are designed to provide competitive levels of compensation that integrate pay with the Company’s annual goals, reward above average corporate performance, recognize individual initiative and achievements, and assist the Company in attracting and retaining qualified executives.

          The Committee compares the entire compensation program with companies of comparable size in similar industries. Although the Committee believes that the Company’s program fell within the low to medium range for each individual executive, the Committee believes that the Company’s compensation program is sufficiently competitive to retain competent personnel. Comparisons were made with companies which are not necessarily included in the performance graph. The graph is based on broad industry averages while the compensation program was compared to a relatively limited number of specific companies to which the Company relates in size or industry type.

          There are three elements in the Company’s executive compensation program, all determined by individual and corporate performance.

    Base salary compensation
    Annual incentive compensation
    Stock options

          Base salary compensation, while largely subjective, is determined by the potential impact the individual has on the Company, the skills and experience required by the job, and the performance and potential of the incumbent in the job.

          The Company has a policy of granting incentive bonuses to its executive officers, which are based on the Company achieving certain net income and expense targets during a fiscal year. The net income targets are generally established as a range, such that no incentive bonus is paid until the Company has achieved at least the bottom of the target range and the maximum bonus paid if the Company achieved the high end of the target range would, in the case of Mr. Moquist, be 48% of his base salary. Mr. Moquist is also entitled to bonus compensation of up to 12% of his base salary if the Company meets certain expense control targets.

          Under the plan Mr. Iacarella could have earned up to 36% and 9% of base salary based on the same criteria as Mr. Moquist for net income and expense control, respectively.

          The Committee has not made any adjustment to predetermined formulas, nor has it made any provision for discretionary adjustment or awards of compensation. The criteria and basis for incentive compensation described above is similar to that used in each of the three years for which executive compensation is disclosed.

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          Awards of stock options under the Stock Option Plan are designed to promote the identity of long-term interests between the Company’s executives and its shareholders and assist in the retention of executives. The Stock Option Plan also permits the Committee to grant stock options to key personnel. Options become exercisable based upon criteria established by the Compensation Committee. Awards of options are generally granted on the same criteria as base salaries are determined.

          Based on recommendations of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors in fiscal 2003 granted stock options to officers and key employees. While the value realizable from exercisable options is dependent upon the extent to which the Company’s performance is reflected in the market price of the Company’s common stock at any particular point in time, the decision as to whether such value will be realized in any particular year is primarily determined by each individual executive and not by the Compensation Committee.

          The annual base cash compensation of Mr. Moquist in fiscal 2003 was $262,500. Mr. Moquist received a $150,570 incentive based on partially achieving the net income and expense control targets described above. No subjective factors are used in determining annual incentive payments for Mr. Moquist or other executives. Mr. Moquist was granted 20,000 stock options (adjusted for the January 15, 2003, two-for-one stock split) as part of the Committee’s annual stock option grant recommendation.

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

          David A. Christensen        Mark E. Griffin        Conrad J. Hoigaard

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

          Independent Accountants. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors selected the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants for the year ended January 31, 2003. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, have audited the Company’s financial statements for the past 42 years. No representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of shareholders.

          Audit Fees. The aggregate fees and expenses of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for professional services provided for (i) the audit of the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003 incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and (ii) the reviews of the interim consolidated financial information included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q were $148,000, of which $70,000 had been billed as of January 31, 2003.

          Financial Information Systems Design And Implementation Fees. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not render any professional services related to financial information systems design and implementation for the most recent fiscal year.

          All Other Fees. The aggregate fees and expenses billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for all other services provided to the Company for the year ended January 31, 2003, were $38,000, of which $29,000 had been billed as of January 31, 2003. These include primarily fees and expenses related to services in connection with business acquisitions and certain tax work and audit of the company’s 401(k) plan.

          The Audit Committee has considered whether the provisions of the services covered by the two immediately preceding paragraphs is compatible with maintaining the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and has determined that such services did not impair their independence.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

          The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Raven Industries, Inc. is composed of three independent directors and operates under a written charter. A copy of this charter is included as Exhibit A of this Proxy Statement. The Audit Committee selected the Company’s independent accountants. The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that the members of the Audit Committee are “independent” as that term is defined by the marketplace rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

          Management is responsible for the Company’s internal controls, financial reporting process and compliance with laws and regulations and ethical business standards. The Company’s independent accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and for issuing their report. The Audit Committee is responsible to monitor and oversee these processes.

          In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and the independent accountants. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent accountants. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent accountants matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (Communications with Audit Committees).

          The Company’s independent accountants also provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and the Audit Committee discussed with the independent accountants that firm’s independence.

          The Audit Committee has also reviewed the services provided by the independent accountants (as disclosed under the caption “Independent Public Accountants”) when considering their independence.

          Based upon the Audit Committee’s discussion with management and the independent accountants and the Audit Committee’s review of the representation of management and the report of the independent accountants to the Audit Committee, the Audit 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, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

          Thomas S. Everist        Anthony W. Bour        Cynthia H. Milligan

PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS

          Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, any shareholder who desires to submit a proposal for action by the shareholders at the company’s 2004 annual meeting must submit such proposal in writing to Ronald M. Moquist, President and CEO, Raven Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 5107, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57117-5107, by December 20, 2003. Shareholder proposals received after December 20, 2003, will not be included in the Company’s proxy statement relating to the 2004 annual meeting. Additionally, if the Company receives notice of a shareholder proposal after March 4, 2004, such proposal will be considered untimely under Rules 14a-4 and 14a-5(e), and the persons named in the proxies solicited by the Board of Directors for the Company’s 2004 Annual Meeting may exercise discretionary voting power with respect to such proposal. Due to the complexity of the 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.

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OTHER 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 a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, 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 furnished to the Company, the Company believes that during the year ended January 31, 2003, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than ten-percent beneficial owners were complied with.

          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 in doing so. Proxies are being solicited primarily by mail, but, in addition, officers and regular employees of the Company, without extra compensation, may solicit proxies personally, by telephone, by telegram or by special letter.

          The Board of Directors does not intend to present to the meeting any other matter not referred to above and does not presently know of any matter that may be presented to the meeting by others. However, if other matters 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.
Thomas Iacarella, Secretary

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EXHIBIT A

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

November 18, 2002

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is to assist the Board of Directors (the “Board”) in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee management’s conduct of the Company’s financial reporting process, including by overviewing the financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to any governmental or regulatory body, the public or other users thereof, the Company’s systems of internal accounting and financial controls, and the annual independent audit of the Company’s financial statements.

In discharging its oversight role, the Committee is empowered to investigate any matter brought to its attention with full access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company and the power to retain outside counsel, auditors or other experts for this purpose. The Board and the Committee are in place to represent the Company’s shareholders; accordingly, the outside auditor is ultimately accountable to the Committee.

The Committee shall review the adequacy of this Charter on an annual basis.

Membership

The Committee shall be comprised of not less than three members of the Board, and the Committee’s composition will meet the requirements of the Audit Committee Policy of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Accordingly, all of the members will be directors:

1.     Who have no relationship to the Company that may interfere with the exercise of their independence from management and the Company; and

2.     Who are financially literate or who become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after appointment to the Committee. In addition, at least one member of the Committee will have accounting or related financial management expertise.

Key Responsibilities

The Committee’s job is one of oversight and it recognizes that the Company’s management is responsible for preparing the Company’s financial statements and that the outside auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements.

Additionally, the Committee recognizes that financial management, as well as the outside auditors, have more time, knowledge and more detailed information on the Company than do Committee members; consequently, in carrying out its oversight responsibilities, the Committee is not providing any expert or special assurance as to the Company’s financial statements or any professional certification as to the outside auditor’s work.

The following functions shall be the common recurring activities of the Committee in carrying out its oversight function. These functions are set forth as a guide with the understanding that the Committee may diverge from this guide as appropriate given the circumstances.

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  The Committee shall review with management and the outside auditors the audited financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and review and consider with the outside auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statements of Auditing Standards (“SAS”) No. 61, as amended.
 
  As a whole, or through the Committee chair, the Committee shall review with the outside auditors the Company’s interim financial results to be included in the Company’s quarterly reports to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the matters required to be discussed by SAS No. 61, as amended, this review will occur prior to the Company’s filing of the Form 10-Q.
 
  The Committee shall discuss with management and the outside auditors the quality and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls.
 
  The Committee shall:

    request from the outside auditors annually, a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the auditor and the Company consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard Number 1.
 
    discuss with the outside auditors any such disclosed relationships and their impact on the outside auditor’s independence; and
 
    take appropriate action to oversee the independence of the outside auditor including approval in advance of non-audit services.

  The Committee shall have the ultimate authority and responsibility to select, evaluate, compensate and, where appropriate, replace the outside auditor.

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(RAVEN LOGO LARGE)

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Wednesday, May 21, 2003
9:00 a.m.

Ramkota Inn
38E and I-29
Sioux Falls, SD 57104

 

 

 

         
(RAVEN LOGO SMALL)   Raven Industries, Inc.   proxy
  Box 5107, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5107  

This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.

The shares of stock you hold in your account or in a dividend reinvestment account will be voted as you specify on the reverse side of this form.

If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted “FOR” Item 1.

By signing the proxy, you hereby appoint Conrad J. Hoigaard and Ronald M. Moquist, or either of them, each with the power to appoint his substitute, to represent and to vote all the shares of common stock of RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC. held by you on April 10, 2003, at the ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS to be held on May 21, 2003 and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

NOTE: The proxies named above may choose to exercise cumulative voting in the manner described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

See reverse for voting instructions.

 


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- Please detach here -


The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Item 1.

                             
1.   Election of directors:   01 Anthony W. Bour   05 Conrad J. Hoigaard   o   Vote FOR all   o   Vote WITHHELD
        02 David A. Christensen   06 Cynthia H. Milligan       nominees (Except       from all nominees
        03 Thomas S. Everist   07 Ronald M. Moquist       as indicated below)        
        04 Mark E. Griffin                    
     
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)    
   
If you wish to cumulate votes, please indicate your votes in the space that follows:    
   


2.   Upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL.

                 
Address Change? Mark Box   o   Indicate changes below:   Date    
               
                 
           
                 
           
                 
            Signature(s) in Box
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy.