EXHIBIT 24
Power of Attorney
I hereby appoint each of Jim L. Kaput or Steven C. Preston or Eric R.
Zarnikow or any other person occupying the office of General Counsel, Chief
Financial Officer, or Treasurer with The ServiceMaster Company ("ServiceMaster")
at the time any action hereby authorized shall be taken to act as my
attorney-in-fact and agent for all purposes specified in this Power of Attorney.
I hereby authorize each person identified by name or office in the preceding
sentence (each of whom is herein called my "authorized representative") acting
alone to sign and file on my behalf in all capacities I may at any time have
with ServiceMaster (including but not limited to the position of director or any
officer position) the Registration Statement prepared under the Securities Act
of 1933 identified in this Power of Attorney and any pre-effective or
post-effective amendment to any such Registration Statement. I hereby authorize
each authorized representative in my name and on my behalf to execute every
document and take every other action which such authorized representative deems
necessary or desirable in connection with the Registration Statement identified
in this Power of Attorney and any sale of securities or other transaction
accomplished by means of any such Registration Statement.
This Power of Attorney applies to a Registration Statement on Form S-8
that registers common stock to be offered and sold pursuant to the ServiceMaster
Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan.
This instrument shall remain in effect until the earlier to occur of
(i) my cessation of service as a director and officer of ServiceMaster and (ii)
my giving written notice to ServiceMaster's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of my election to
revoke this instrument. No such revocation shall be effective to revoke the
authority for any action taken pursuant to this Power of Attorney prior to such
cessation of service or delivery of such revocation.
<PAGE>
The law of the State of Illinois shall govern this instrument.
Dated: November 29, 2000
/s/ Paul W. Berezny, Jr.
--------------------------
Paul W. Berezny, Jr.
/s/ Carlos H. Cantu_
--------------------------
Carlos H. Cantu
/s/ Brian Griffiths
--------------------------
Brian Griffiths
/s/ Sidney E. Harris
--------------------------
Sidney E. Harris
/s/ Glenda A. Hatchett
--------------------------
Glenda A. Hatchett
/s/ Herbert P. Hess
--------------------------
Herbert P. Hess
/s/ Michele M. Hunt
--------------------------
Michele M. Hunt
/s/ Gunther H. Knoedler
--------------------------
Gunther H. Knoedler
/s/ James D. McLennan
--------------------------
James D. McLennan
/s/ Vincent C. Nelson
--------------------------
Vincent C. Nelson
/s/ Dallen W. Peterson
--------------------------
Dallen W. Peterson
/s/ C. William Pollard
--------------------------
C. William Pollard
/s/ Steven S Reinemund
--------------------------
Steven S Reinemund
/s/ Donald G. Soderquist
--------------------------
Donald G. Soderquist
/s/ Charles W. Stair
--------------------------
Charles W. Stair
/s/ David K. Wessner
--------------------------
David K. Wessner
