The Grit Behind the Grind: The House Autry and SouthState Partnership

For more than 200 years, House-Autry Mills has been a staple in Southern kitchens, but the brand is more than stone-ground grits and golden hushpuppies. It’s a company built on commitment to its people, its partners, and its core values. Grounded in compassion, integrity, and a willingness to go the extra mile, House-Autry has earned the trust of generations. And when it came time to choose a banking partner who shares the same values, SouthState was a natural fit.

Grinding Corn and Gritting Through

Since 1812, House-Autry Mills has weathered every kind of storm – wars, depressions, recessions, and pandemics – yet remained steadfast in its mission to serve its customers with consistency and care. Originally powered by a watermill and millstones shipped over from England, House-Autry still uses traditional stone-grinding methods today, creating flavor profiles competitors simply can’t replicate.

However, heritage alone doesn’t sustain a company for over two centuries. People do. Chief Financial Officer, Derrick Marconi, will be the first to tell you that the secret to their success isn’t just their products, it’s their team. “We try to have a very family-focused environment,” Derrick shares. “If it matters to you, it matters to me.”

No Fluff, Just Facts

When House-Autry was evaluating banks to support their growing footprint, including a key expansion in Hogansville, Georgia, they needed more than a lender. They needed a partner who shared their values, one who wouldn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff, and would answer the phone.

Enter Jeff Moncrief, a middle market banker who doesn’t believe in fluff either. “Jeff and I are both CPAs. We’ve known each other for years. What do I appreciate about Jeff the most? He doesn’t waste my time. I’m not a fluffy type of guy; I don’t sugarcoat anything, and neither does he.”

That shared no-nonsense approach built trust, and trust built opportunity. What started as a few equipment loans quickly evolved into a full banking relationship, including checking, money market, merchant services, treasury, lines of credit, and growth capital. When Derrick and his team sat down to explain where they wanted to go, SouthState didn’t just listen, they rolled up their sleeves and helped design the roadmap.

Built for the Middle Market

House-Autry is a prime example of what it means to be nimble in middle market manufacturing. With two core facilities and customers across the continental U.S., they have to move fast and deliver faster. That means their bank needs to move just as quickly.

“SouthState brings decision-makers into the room,” Derrick says. “We do the same. That’s how things get done. Egos aside, we’re just people focused on the common good of both companies.”

For SouthState, this is the heart of middle market banking. It’s where strategy meets speed, and relationships turn into results. And for Jeff, it’s deeply personal. “I may be the face of the relationship,” Jeff says, “but our entire team is invested. We make sure our clients don’t just have access to one banker – they have a full roster of people who care.”

Together, Banking Forward

Today, House-Autry continues to scale, with SouthState by their side supporting everything from operational needs to future expansion. The relationship goes beyond transactions; it’s about building something that lasts.

“We’re both in growth mode,” Derrick says. “I expect SouthState to remain our core bank because they understand where we’re going, and they want to go there with us.”

When asked to describe the relationship in one word, Derrick doesn’t hesitate: partnership. At SouthState, that’s what it’s all about. Real relationships. Real conversations. Real results. Because in middle market banking, partnership isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s everything.