Exhibit 24(b)
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                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT: Each of the undersigned officers and
directors of Ablest Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") has made,
constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and
appoint, William Appleton, Charles H. Heist III, and Mark Kashmanian, any of
whom may act, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for
such person and in such person's name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities as attorney-in-fact, such person's signature to any Registration
Statement on Form S-8 or other form registering under the Securities Act of 1933
shares of the Company's common stock in connection with the grant of restricted
stock under the Company's Restricted Stock Plan, and to any and all amendments,
post-effective amendments, supplements and exhibits to such Registration
Statement, and to any and all applications and other documents pertaining
thereto, giving and granting to each such attorney-in-fact full power and
authority to do and perform every act and thing whatsoever requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully as such person might or
could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of such attorneys-in-fact or any such substitute shall lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the
capacities indicated below on May 23, 2002.






                                               


/s/ Charles H. Heist III                           /s/ W. David Foster
- ------------------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Charles H. Heist III                               W. David Foster
Chairman of the Board of Directors                 Chief Executive Officer and a Director



/s/ Vincent J. Lombardo                            /s/ Ronald K. Leirvik
- ------------------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Vincent J. Lombardo                                Ronald K. Leirvik
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer         Director



/s/ Charles E. Scharlau                            /s/ Richard W. Roberson
- ------------------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Charles E. Scharlau                                Richard W. Roberson
Director                                           Director



/s/ Donna R. Moore
- ------------------------------------------
Donna R. Moore
Director