And if the PMC manages the on-site staff, does that include hiring and firing as well? 

I want to soak up as much knowledge as possible!

Some you will like and some are very 'pitchy' selling all kinds of classes and junk.Meeting people in person and getting to know them and what they do will help increase your knowledge that much more.

I've owned rentals in the East Bay, as well as out of state in OH and TX. 

My last suggestion is building your team is going to be crucial for success so hire a professional property management company as well.

We’ll help pull back the curtain a bit on the biggest drivers of mortgage rates, as well as how investors can watch the market like a financial expert does.Bond Market Concepts: What Determines Mortgage Rates?

There is no doubt that REI in Section 8 is risky, but the entry point is attractive with leveraged yields well in excess of what you can achieve in regular REI.  

I would like to get all the knowledge I can and see in many different perspective on how you started and any tips that I could use.

I live outside of Pittsburgh, and have recently started investing in this area as well as the northern panhandle of West Virginia!

Is the coa well funded and good reserves?