Richard M. Ritter was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer for Bridgeton, N.J.-based Cumberland Insurance Group, by the company’s board of directors.

Richard M. Ritter

Ritter previously served as president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Chester County, Pa., for four years before the company merged with The Cumberland Insurance Group in 2000.

Cumberland also announced the following promotions: Lisa C. Koelln from vice president to senior president; David Weiner from accounting manager to treasurer; Glenn Watkins from marketing representative to assistant vice president; and Bill Harmer from New Jersey personal lines manager to assistant vice president.

In other news:

*John Fortunato joined the Red Bank, N.J.-based International Planning Alliance as a financial representative.

*Sarah McLallen was appointed vice president for The New Jersey Association of Health Plans in Trenton, N.J.

*Joseph J. Oakes of Roseland, N.J.-based Acorn Financial Services received the Trophy Award for top sales performance in the firm’s insurance protection and wealth management businesses across all independent John Hancock Financial Network firms.

*Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co. recently awarded its outstanding field leaders for 2008, including in the mid-Atlantic region, which includes Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The region office lead by Frank Howell in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. received the annuity sales leader and HTK sales leader awards. Michael A. McLaughlin of the office was recognized with the annuity sales leader award for the company’s Independence Financial Network. Robert Holmes of the Target Agency in Conshohocken, Pa., also finished in the top three for the HTK sales leader award and the National President’s Award was given to Stephen C. Target of the agency.