What exactly does a coffee roaster do?

The term "coffee roaster" may seem self-explanatory, but I learned more on my first trip to the Fire Roasted Coffee Company than I knew about coffee prior.  Let's take a look at the role that a good coffee roaster plays in putting good fresh coffee in your cup. The first thing that your local coffee roaster does is connect with the coffee supply chain.  For this, the roaster likely deals with an importer who himself is connected with exporters in coffee-producing countries.  That importer has a warehouse not too far from the roaster, and a huge variety of green unroasted coffee beans.  Yes, I'm simplifying the supply chain to get to the good part.