What exactly does an associate producer of a major Hollywood blockbuster movie do?

Associate Producer
An individual who performs a limited number of producing functions delegated to her/him by a producer, under the direct supervision and control of that producer. The term may also refer to a person who would qualify as an executive producer of a project, but for the fact that (s)he acts on behalf of a production company which is subordinate to another one on that project. See also co-producer and line producer.

Quoted from:

http://www.imdb.com/Glossary/A

Associate producer: Usually acts as a representative of the Producer, who may share financial, creative, or administrative responsibilities, delegated from that producer. Often, a title for an experienced film professional acting as a consultant or a title granted as a courtesy to one who makes a major financial or creative contribution to the production. According to David Mamet, “It’s what you give your secretary instead of a raise.”

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_producer

Yeah I Googled it and got those definitions too, but I’m still fuzzy. Was he a fairly important guy, or did he most likely fetch coffee or do nothing but receive e-mails concerning the progress other people made?

Associate producers are fairly important. They help to make a lot of decisions regarding the film’s finances and do hold a bit of creative control. I think they are one step down from the producer.

That’s so cool. My husband thinks I’m a little too excited about this, but he is now officially the most famous person I really kind of know.

It is kind of cool to directly know somebody who works in the industry.
I personally work in the industry, so I’m use to knowing people, but before, as an outsider, I would cream my pants every time I spoke to someone about their on set experiences. Now, it’s just a normal thing, but still always neat to hear about.

What does an associate producer do? An associate producer does get paid less than the producer, who in turn gets paid less than the executive producer. Oh, and he probably does fetch the coffee for the producer too.

Most of the work while the producer gets fitted for the tux he will wear to the award shows.