EXHIBIT 99.1 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, W. David Foster, Chief Executive Officer of Ablest Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended June 30, 2002 (the "Report"), which this certification accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ W. David Foster ---------------------------------------- W. David Foster, Chief Executive Officer August 12, 2002