 In 1927, Protective merged with Alabama National Insurance Company, and Alabama National's president, Samuel Clabaugh, became the president of the combined companies, which continued to do business as Protective.In 1937, Clabaugh turned over the leadership of the company to Col. William J. Rushton, and in 1969, Col. Rushton's son, William “Billy” J. Rushton III, became president of Protective.The younger Rushton then presided over a series of acquisitions that led Protective into all 50 states.