by John Gizzi Posted Mar 30, 2004 Orange County Republican Chairman Tom Fuentes, dean of party leaders in the Golden State's 58 counties, is retiring after a record 20 years of service. Fuentes became chairman in 1984 at age 35. A successful businessman in the civil engineering field, he used his private-sector management skills to rebuild a party that had been living a "hand-to-mouth" existence. Today, it boasts a full-time staff and headquarters, and a bi-annual budget of $1 million. Fuentes also led the party in dealing with Orange County's demographic changes. As Democrats began making inroads in a region...