Should I insist he put skin in the game up front as well and we both take our chances on losing money?

You're the one with skin in the game here.

And with all things considered, I would want someone to have equal amount of skin in the game.

You can also ask for 2 months of free advertising, if you pay for the skins.3.

There was pushback from lenders because “I wouldn’t have any skin in the game” if I used investors. 

Sounds like the other two are the ones putting skin in the game and you're the one that brings them the deal...?

Borrower has no skin in the game because fully financed so higher risk for lender 

Nonetheless there is always a time for new blood and skin to the game, so looking for contacts of Good/awesome/great PM in mcallen who are creative and well connected in the Mcallen area.

You just need skin in the game.

Doing any type of development deal is not an easy thing to do as there are many different ways to skin a cat...