The chief executive officer of a local high-tech company faces charges of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl and is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

William Eugene Clisham, 75, of Waikele was charged with seven counts of first-degree sex assault and 12 counts of third-degree sex assault. He made an initial appearance in Honolulu District Court yesterday and was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail. A court spokesman did not know whether Clisham posted bail.

According to a court affidavit, the girl said an acquaintance, known as "Uncle Bill" or "UB," kissed her inappropriately after she told him to stop.

The girl told a detective that the incidents happened "every time" her family went to Clisham’s house for holidays and special occasions between August 2003 and January 2009.

Clisham is the chief executive officer of CORESystems Hawaii, a data storage company.

CORESystems has done work for Chaminade University, Punahou School, the state Department of Education, Kamehameha Schools and agencies within the Department of Defense, according to its website.

"I’ve known Bill for a really long time," said Richard Lewis, company president. "He is the most honest, one of the best guys I’ve ever met."

Lewis said he has trusted Clisham, a former police officer on the mainland and former Marine, with his own daughter and continues to support him.