Upgrades include a fully remodeled kitchen, renovated bathrooms, new durable flooring, contemporary fixtures, and efficient heating and cooling systems.

But I saw it on the Internet; it must be true.......

They should be easy to find with an internet search. 

Your first hire is unlikely to work out though, was you won't have a good hiring system in place. - So, recommend having that first hire document the crap out of what you want them to do.

Once you feel you've built a strong team with your first property and have solid systems in place, I would then start buying more aggressively and taking on bigger projects.I suggest reading this BP article on the core 4.https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/core-four-real-estate-team

But, for instance, I sent them a notice of rent increase effective February 1 and needed them to confirm that they have accepted the new payment terms through our electronic payment system, and even after repeated notices, they are not responding.

There are easy to use systems that will help you do this, @Angelo Llamas.

I have not been able to find any in person networking events in my area doing a basic internet search.

They have an internalized system where instantly a person has thousands of potential end buyers for a "lead" coast to coast.

Instead of throwing your deal out to a bunch of strangers on the internet, I recommend you do your research to find a local expert with 20+ ACTIVE years in real estate in your market.