Exhibit 24(b)

                               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 Vincent J. Lombardo, any of
whom may act, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, 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 Executive Stock Awards 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 October 23, 2003.


                                                           
/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                                            /s/ Kurt R. Moore *
- --------------------------------------------                  --------------------------------------------
Donna R. Moore                                                Kurt R. Moore
Director                                                      President and a Director



* Executed on December 29, 2003.